FWIW, for recently released books (<5 years) with more than a few hundred reviews, I find a 4.2 or above rating on Goodreads to be a fairly accurate indicator of whether a book Wil be a pleasurable read. The types of books mentioned in TFA have classic saddle curves - high on both ends, low in the middle. These controversial books may offer high engagement in a classroom or book club environment but for my time and money, the wide variety of possible negatives that cause the low-end of the saddle are sufficient to remove a book from my consideration no matter how high the other end of the saddle. Time is short, books are many, and although I am a very fast reader, I'm going to focus on reading writing that hits more positives rather than one that is split. The ends of a saddle-shaped vote curve can be discarded leaving, still, a middling rating.