How to Avoid Dark Content in Books?

[DragonLight877]

So I tend to be a bit of a softie when it comes to reading. I don't prefer to read about abuse, or anything really dark themed really. I can handle it if it isn't throughout the whole book, but if the book is saturated in it I have to put it down, no matter how interested I am in the story.

But the thing is, authors don't have to mention if there is going to be that sort of thing in the book. I can look up all sorts of reviews, and read the descriptions on multiple sites, but at the end of the day it's still almost impossible to know if someone will be raped or something in the book I'm reading or not. Unless I stick to only Young Adult or Children's books. And still it can be 50/50.

Does anyone have some sort of way to know? Or I suppose I just wish the authors had to at least say "Hey, this book gets heavy." or something like that. Whats your opinions on dark themes in books? And should authors need to warn their readers?

[HarryPotterLibrary22]

I think a lot of people have started feeling the same way. When reviewing books now, quite often there's a short survey at the end asking if certain topics were mentioned (e.g. abuse, rape or substance use) and they ask to rate profanity usage and sexual descriptions.

[sevencrows]

I always had hoped for a 'rating' for books like there is for movies, because many authors write in multiple genres and when what I had believed was a semi-dark children's book turns out to be a graphic adult novella, it gives me whiplash. I think Goodreads is good for that--ask a question about the book there, or read through the reviews to scan for content warnings.

[DragonLight877]

Thank-you sevencrows. I think I'll try the Goodreads site. I still believe the books should have warnings in the descriptions though.