The photographic approach of André Kertész in On Reading centers on capturing candid moments of individuals engaged in reading. These images explore themes of quiet contemplation, personal engagement with text, and the intimate relationship between reader and book. The mood throughout the photographs is reflective and serene, highlighting the act of reading as a private and immersive experience.

Printed in 2008 by W. W. Norton, this 80-page collection presents a series of black-and-white photographs that reveal diverse contexts in which reading occurs, from public spaces to solitary corners. Kertész’s eye for composition and natural light underscores the tactile connection readers have with their material and the varied postures and expressions prompted by different genres and settings.