Sarah Jessica Parker is one of the Booker prize judges

[Anonymous]

She's going to use this to start her own book club. I really wished they picked someone more intellectual, who spent a decaded contributing to the community, instead of someone just trying to commercialize on it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She’s considered pretty New York art-y/kind of an intellectual, and is a big reader (of lit fic, not like the Reese Witherspoon book club-type), so it’s not totally crazy. It is a departure for the Booker, though. She must’ve really campaigned for it.

No she's not considered an intellectual at all. She came from a huge, impoverished family and paid for everything with her acting (like Jodie Foster did).

I don't think she even went to college.

But she may well enjoy reading and have something to contribute. She wouldn't be doing it unless she wanted to.

You don't have to be wealthy or even go to college to be intellectual. The vast majority of college grads are not intellectuals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She’s considered pretty New York art-y/kind of an intellectual, and is a big reader (of lit fic, not like the Reese Witherspoon book club-type), so it’s not totally crazy. It is a departure for the Booker, though. She must’ve really campaigned for it.

No she's not considered an intellectual at all. She came from a huge, impoverished family and paid for everything with her acting (like Jodie Foster did).

I don't think she even went to college.

But she may well enjoy reading and have something to contribute. She wouldn't be doing it unless she wanted to.

Wait, why would her coming from a big poor family mean she's not an intellectual?

[Anonymous]

Just because Carrie Bradshaw is a writer, doesn't mean SJP is!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's going to use this to start her own book club. I really wished they picked someone more intellectual, who spent a decaded contributing to the community, instead of someone just trying to commercialize on it

She doesn't need this to start her own book club. Anyone can start a book club--Reese, Emma Watson. You don't need to be a Booker judge!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's a quick learner and actually does the work instead of pretending to, which is why she's liked.

For example, unlike most celebrities who slap their name on perfumes, she actually worked really hard to have an understanding of the chemicals involved, the structure and business of perfumery, and she impressed the perfume people who interacted with her.

So I am not surprised that she would take pains to read the books, research the context, and really get involved. She's the type to do their homework.

That is just great PR that you've believed to be the truth.

PP you replied to. I know you love to think the worst of people, but I happen to know some people who worked with her on her perfumes. I know that industry and respect the people who told me this.

NP but I occasionally run into her in NY because one of my children does an activity with one of hers. And she is definitely the sort of person who does her homework, as a PP said. She knows minute details of things and gets involved. You may or may not agree with her opinion in the end but no one can truthfully argue that she won’t put the time and work in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's a quick learner and actually does the work instead of pretending to, which is why she's liked.

For example, unlike most celebrities who slap their name on perfumes, she actually worked really hard to have an understanding of the chemicals involved, the structure and business of perfumery, and she impressed the perfume people who interacted with her.

So I am not surprised that she would take pains to read the books, research the context, and really get involved. She's the type to do their homework.

I agree with this. And I can believe she's more knowledgeable about contemporary fiction than most. She always has a book on set.

How do you know she always has a book on set? Are you there? Or just regurgitating her press?

NP- why is it so unbelievable that someone sees her on set? She used to shoot in NYC all the time. Many posters here are from NYC or live/ lived in NYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's going to use this to start her own book club. I really wished they picked someone more intellectual, who spent a decaded contributing to the community, instead of someone just trying to commercialize on it

She doesn't need this to start her own book club. Anyone can start a book club--Reese, Emma Watson. You don't need to be a Booker judge!?

This is her MO. Remember she became a perfumer when she went into fragrances? She's insecure, maybe because of her background and lack of formal education, so she likes to study up first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's going to use this to start her own book club. I really wished they picked someone more intellectual, who spent a decaded contributing to the community, instead of someone just trying to commercialize on it

She doesn't need this to start her own book club. Anyone can start a book club--Reese, Emma Watson. You don't need to be a Booker judge!?

This is her MO. Remember she became a perfumer when she went into fragrances? She's insecure, maybe because of her background and lack of formal education, so she likes to study up first.

Only on DCUM are people sneering at someone because they actually do the work. It's low class to study up, dontchaknow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She apparently reads like a fiend and has her own literary imprint. I think that is kind of qualifying

This whole conversation is giving me such deja vu. Was there something else she was chosen to be a judge for a few months ago that elicited the same reactions or was the Booker judge thing already discussed? I distinctly remember learning about her imprint at the time.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you should judge a literary prize unless you have substantial experience as a writer or editor. Lots of people read a lot, that is not the same.

This is not a slight on SJP -- I respect her as an actor and producer and think her charitable work in the arts is great. I just don't think she's qualified for this specific role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's a quick learner and actually does the work instead of pretending to, which is why she's liked.

For example, unlike most celebrities who slap their name on perfumes, she actually worked really hard to have an understanding of the chemicals involved, the structure and business of perfumery, and she impressed the perfume people who interacted with her.

So I am not surprised that she would take pains to read the books, research the context, and really get involved. She's the type to do their homework.

I agree with this. And I can believe she's more knowledgeable about contemporary fiction than most. She always has a book on set.

How do you know she always has a book on set? Are you there? Or just regurgitating her press?

NP- why is it so unbelievable that someone sees her on set? She used to shoot in NYC all the time. Many posters here are from NYC or live/ lived in NYC.

I asked the basis for the posters’ knowledge of a celebrity’s reading habits at work. Isn’t it interesting how defensive you are of the question. You lived in NY, saw her filming on the street, and then focused on a book nearby? Really? I always carry books with me - doesn’t mean I am actually reading non-stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's going to use this to start her own book club. I really wished they picked someone more intellectual, who spent a decaded contributing to the community, instead of someone just trying to commercialize on it

She doesn't need this to start her own book club. Anyone can start a book club--Reese, Emma Watson. You don't need to be a Booker judge!?

This is her MO. Remember she became a perfumer when she went into fragrances? She's insecure, maybe because of her background and lack of formal education, so she likes to study up first.

Only on DCUM are people sneering at someone because they actually do the work. It's low class to study up, dontchaknow.

No one is sneering at her for doing the work. We want to know how you know this celebrity who puts out a lot of press about herself truly studies up.

[Anonymous]

She's not the first actor who's been a Booker Prize judge by a long shot.

[Anonymous]

I think SJP is a great marketing move for the Booker Prize.