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Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker has voiced concern over the growing gap in reading habits between men and women, describing a “pretty serious decrease” in the number of men picking up books.
Speaking during an event hosted by 92NY to promote Victoria Redel’s novel I Am You — published under her own imprint, SJP Lit, in September — Parker reflected on how reading habits have shifted over time and how the publishing industry has been affected.
“Women Still Read — But Not Like Before”
The 60-year-old actress noted that while women continue to play a strong role in supporting literature, even their reading habits have changed compared to the past.
“I think women have been supporting publishing in lots of ways and reading lots of different types of books,” Parker said, according to PEOPLE. “But we’re not reading the way we used to read.”
She emphasized that the issue isn’t about the quality of writing but about the dwindling connection between readers and books.
“We’re Not Grabbing Books Like Before”
Parker, who also serves as a publisher and literary advocate, pointed out that the problem isn’t with writers. “It’s not the fault of the writers,” she said. “Sometimes we look out for stories that also grab our attention as well.”
However, she expressed frustration that people are simply not engaging with books the way they used to.
“I think there are riches to have in your hand,” Parker added passionately. “We’re just not getting books. We’re not pressing them. We’re not grabbing the attention because it’s so impossible to grab people’s attention now.”
In her view, the constant flood of digital distractions and short-form content has made it difficult for people to slow down and immerse themselves in reading.
Celebrating Writers — Old and New
Parker also took a moment to celebrate writers across generations. She praised both long-established authors and emerging voices for continuing to surprise and inspire readers worldwide.
“There are writers that have been around for a long time who are still doing extraordinary work and surprising us,” she said. “And there’s an entire new generation of writers across the globe who are thrilling to know about and read.”
A Publisher’s Perspective: Finding Books That “Wow”
From her vantage point as the head of SJP Lit, Parker described the excitement of discovering and publishing new literary voices.
“We try to find books that we’re really excited about, that really wow us immediately,” she explained. “We hope we get the chance to publish them and either introduce a writer to readers or introduce a writer who’s debuting as a writer.”
For Parker and her team, every book deal is more than just a business decision — it’s a meaningful collaboration with an author. “Every time a writer says yes, it’s a very big deal to us,” she said warmly.
Rekindling a Reading Revolution
Sarah Jessica Parker’s remarks reflect a growing concern within the literary community about declining reading habits, especially among men. Her message is a reminder to slow down, turn off the screens, and rediscover the magic of stories — one page at a time.
As she continues to champion diverse voices through SJP Lit, Parker remains hopeful that readers everywhere will once again “press books into each other’s hands” and rebuild the culture of reading that once defined generations.
Quote of the Day:
“There are riches to have in your hand — we’re just not grabbing the attention because it’s so impossible now.” — Sarah Jessica Parker
