The Reader

Celebrate the quiet moments with The Reader, a photography book that beautifully captures people from around the world lost in the timeless act of reading.

Through stunning, intimate images from 19 talented photographers, The Reader showcases readers in a wide variety of settings, from cozy cafes to serene parks, city benches to sandy beaches. And despite the diversity of locations, each photograph portrays the universal yet deeply personal connection between a reader and the printed word. Several essays throughout the book — from booksellers, authors, and readers — explore the significance of reading, the emotions it evokes, and the escapism it provides.

The Reader invites you to pause and reflect on the quiet beauty of reading, both as a solitary act and a shared human experience.

Featured photographers include Elisabeth Argillier, Tiffany Bell, Boena Budzyska, Oliver Bunica, Graham Chapman, Christian Dumont, David Gonzalez, Greg Goyo Vargas, Lucy Hamidzadeh, Peter Jonker, Ian Kobylanski, Sam Landers, Judit Prat Mart, Declan McWhinney, Meg Miller, John Michael Rivera, Selene Sar, Andy Shigekawa, and Jeffery Xin.

Author Biography

Sam Landers is the Publisher and Editor at Trope Publishing Co. and has edited Chicago, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris, and Los Angeles, all titles in Trope’s City Edition series. Prior to launching Trope, Sam spent over two decades working in digital marketing. An avid photographer, Sam enjoys traveling, always taking his camera and notebook.

Michelle Fitzgerald is a veteran of the book publishing industry and the Associate Publisher at Trope Publishing Co. A fierce advocate for books, she served as editor on New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Rome, all titles in Trope’s City Edition series.