Both of these topics will be getting their own Controversial Bookish Topics posts in the future. I am also thinking about also having separate posts for these as "Bookish Dilemmas" as well, but I haven't fully decided. However, I wanted to take a post to discuss these two things together in broad, general terms.
These two topics - especially controversial authors - have been discussed to no end on the bookternet. Any aspect of the internet dedicated to discussions of books - booktube, bookstagram, book twitter, etc. - has had quite a few posts about this.
Here is my opinion on it all. If you decide to read a book that covers a controversial topic, then that's okay. If you decide to pick up a book by an author who's been deemed "controversial," that is also okay. It really all depends on your relationship with the book(s) or the author(s).
I can't say you won't be judged for choosing to read a controversial book or author. You most likely will be. What I will say, though, that it is ultimately your choice whether or not you, and you shouldn't feel pressured by others to make one choice versus another.
