Context:

During a recent event with 92NY, Sarah Jessica Parker addressed the significant decline in reading, particularly among men, emphasizing the need for greater support for reading initiatives. Despite a thriving literary landscape, highlighted by her own imprint SJP Lit, Parker noted that reading has diminished over the past two decades, with women consistently outpacing men in reading habits. She believes that the challenge lies not with writers but in capturing attention in a distracted world. As she continues her efforts in promoting literature, Parker remains optimistic about discovering and supporting new voices in writing.

Dive Deeper:

• Parker's remarks came as part of a promotional event for Victoria Redel's novel 'I Am You,' which was published by her imprint in September 2025.

• A study published in August 2025 in the journal iScience indicated a general decline in reading for pleasure in the U.S. over the last 20 years, with women reported to read more consistently than men in 2023.

• Parker highlighted that women have been pivotal in supporting the publishing industry, reading various genres, but noted a troubling drop in men's reading habits.

• She expressed concern about the difficulty in attracting readers' attention, attributing it to a lack of engagement with books rather than a deficiency in quality writing.

• Parker's SJP Lit, launched in collaboration with Zando in 2022, seeks to publish captivating stories that resonate with readers, demonstrating her commitment to revitalizing interest in literature.

• The novel 'I Am You' is characterized as a historical fiction piece exploring themes of sapphic romance and intrigue set in 1600s Amsterdam, which Parker found particularly engaging.

• In addition to her publishing endeavors, Parker is also set to serve as a judge for the 2025 Booker Prize, further solidifying her influence in the literary community.