Trigger warnings: Can they change your reading experience?

Trigger warnings - do you love them or hate them?

Trigger warnings in books have become a widely discussed topic recently.

Some readers find them essential, allowing them to mentally prepare for potentially distressing themes, while others feel they take away the element of surprise or influence how a story is perceived before it even begins.

The impact of trigger warnings often depends on the reader.

For those who have personal experiences with sensitive topics, these warnings can be a valuable tool in deciding whether a book is right for them. On the other hand, some readers prefer to go in blind, experiencing a story as the author intended, without prior expectations.

Personally, I prefer not to know them. I love the element of surprise, and how vulnerable some books make me feel. It’s often the ones that hit me the hardest, those raw, unexpected emotional moments. These are the books that stay with me the longest. These are the books that become my favourites, the ones I think about for years to come.

I also believe that, sometimes, trigger warnings may also be huge spoilers for many readers. Knowing what's in the book in advance may ruin the reading experience, and as a result, those jaw-dropping twists might not be so... jaw-dropping, or that emotional impact may not be as emotional because it was expected.

That said, I understand that every reader is different. Whether you seek out trigger warnings or prefer to avoid them, the choice should always be yours. 

That’s why I’ve created a dedicated page on my website listing the triggers in all my books, so those who prefer to know in advance can access this information easily.

If you want to check them out, click the button below.

Trigger Warnings

What's your stance on trigger warnings? Let me know in the comments.

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