Everyone Worth Knowing
By Lauren Weisberger
Introduction
For the five years following college, Bette Robinson has been
employed at a tony New York investment bank. It''s a job everyone
detests -- her hippie parents, who''d hoped she''d pursue activist
interests; her society columnist uncle, Will, who at the very least
abhors the bank''s conservative dress code; and Bette herself,
whose life seems to revolve around endless work hours answering to
a mind-numbingly idiosyncratic boss, and tending to her dog
Millington. Perhaps her best friend''s engagement is the trigger,
but Bette soon finds one of her boss''s daily adages one too many,
and quits like the impulsive girl she''s never been. Though her
parents push for her to do something "meaningful" with her life,
Uncle Will introduces her to his former protégé, Kelly, and soon
Bette finds herself with a coveted -- if antithetical -- job as an
events planner at one of NYC''s hottest outfits.
Bette''s "work" takes her into the VIP lounges of the hottest
celebrity- and socialite-filled New York City nightclubs every
night of the week. It''s a glamorous job, but Bette learns not to
blink at the famous faces, the black Amex cards, velvet ropes, and
paparazzi snapping pics of her coworkers and cohorts. When the "It"
boy du jour, Philip Weston, takes a shine to her, Bette soon finds
that the line between her personal and professional lives
is...invisible. When her name begins appearing in the city''s most
salacious (and popular) gossip column, "New York Scoop," Bette is
horrified; her coworkers, envious; Penelope, hurt; Uncle Will,
concerned; and Kelly, elated. The column is penned under the
pseudonym, Ellie Insider. Bette can''t help but wonder who''s
feeding the column such intimate -- and often untruthful --
details; and who on earth "Ellie Insider" might be?
Discussion Questions:
1. From Bette''s perspective, what is it like to live in New
York City? What is gratifying about living there, and what is
frustrating? Does Bette''s "own private palace" (page 6) in
Manhattan sound like somewhere you would want to live? Why or why
not?
2. Bette''s book club meetings "more closely resembled group
therapy than any sort of literary exploration" (page 47). Is this a
book club you can relate to? Do you think it''s more important for
a book group to discuss literature, or to enjoy each other''s
company? Or are both activities important?
3. On the surface, "Philip fit the ideal of the romantic hero
more closely than any guy I''d met before" (page 141). How do
Bette''s early impressions of Philip compare to her attraction to
Sammy, whom she initially disliked? What does this imply about the
reliability of first impressions? Do you generally trust your first
impressions of somebody?
4. In chapter 19, we learn that Bette spent her high school
years writing letters about important world issues. How does her
old letter-writing hobby embody the idealism of her youth? What one
activity could symbolize Bette''s current lifestyle? Would you say
that Bette is still an idealist? Why or why not?
5. Bette describes the "message" of the Blackberry party, and
event-planning in general, as "you - whoever you are and wherever
you''re reading about this fabulous event - must own one
[Blackberry] so that you, too, may be young, hip, urban, and cool"
(page 217). Before you read this book, were you aware of the time,
effort, and money involved in event-planning? Do you think this
form of marketing works? Why or why not?
6. Bette and Sammy are both carrying Lonely Planet
guidebooks when they meet in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. What
does this suggest about their compatibility? How does it set them
apart from the rest of the traveling group?
7. Bette briefly curses romance novels, "because they just made
it too easy to maintain totally unreasonable expectations" (page
359). Do you agree that fiction fosters unrealistic hopes? Are
these high expectations helpful in life and love, or a recipe for
disappointment?
8. How would this story be different if Bette''s character were
a man? If a male event planner were linked to a socialite, would
the press react differently? Would a male character''s boss,
friends, and parents have different reactions than the people in
Bette''s life?
9. If you''ve read The Devil Wears Prada, how does
Bette''s experience in the working world compare to that of Andrea,
the heroine of Weisberger''s previous novel? How do you think these
portrayals of women at work - one right after college, one five
years after college - compare?
10. Despite her outlandish adventures - from nightclubbing with
millionaires in Istanbul, to gaining notoriety in the gossip
columns - did you find yourself relating to Bette? What aspects of
her character do you find universal?
11. What lesson is implied in the title of the book? Who is
"everyone worth knowing?" How do they differ from the people on The
List at Bette''s former employer, Kelly & Company? Do you agree
with Bette''s choices of people worth knowing? Who is on your own
personal Everyone Worth Knowing list?
Enhance Your Book Club:
1. Give your book club meeting a theme of glam! If you''re the
host, mix a pitcher of "mocktails" - as fabulous as cocktails but
without the alcohol - and serve them in style. Find fun drink
recipes here: http://cocktails.about.com/library/recipes/blmocktails.htm.
Plastic martini glasses are $5.95 for a set of 20 at www.orientaltrading.com,
and should also be available at your local party store.
2. Write a fictional gossip column item about another member of
the book group. Pretend you have the "scoop" on her wild behavior
at a place she frequents, even if it''s just the local grocery
store! For inspiration, revisit some of Ellie Insider''s pieces,
found on pages 170, 266, and 306.
3. Take your book club to a Turkish restaurant, for a taste of
what Bette enjoyed in Istanbul. If there isn''t a restaurant in
your area, cook an authentic Turkish dish for your book club. You
can find recipes, and a partial list of Turkish restaurants across
America, here: http://www.anatolia.com/anatolia/cooking/default.asp.