Zhenya Posternak is a Kiev-born photographer based in New York. She works with her twin sister Tanya, creating beautifully distinctive work for the likes of Mansur Gavriel and fashion magazines the world over. We first found her on Instagram, where even her most casual snapshots are instantly recognizable as her own, poetic and assured. We're grateful to have a peek at her summer reading plans. 

"The Practical Cogitator or The Thinker's Anthology"

It has been twelve years since I randomly picked up this book on the
street in Dallas. It's a collection of short philosophic tractates on
life, humanity, poetry, and religion. Very digestible, but I've been
failing to finish it. Hopefully this summer.

"The Collected Poems of Frank O'Hara"

It all started with "Having a coke with you." Addicted, I got
"Lunch poems," and later, intrigued, picked this one.
It's a whole pound of juicy, sharp, even coquettish poems. With an
aftertaste of light sadness.

Jonathan Franzen "The Corrections"

Two of my friends recommended. My sister bought. I borrowed.

Günter Grass "The Flounder"

My dear friend Marc gave this to me for my first New Year's eve in New
York City. First, it's the cover. Second, it's Grass's sense of humor.
Third, it's on women and food.

Arnon Grunberg "Tirza"

Arnon is a friend. The novel was published in 2013 but I only put my
hands on it recently.  I don't read Dutch so I'm hoping the English
translation keeps Grunberg's grim sense of humor.
His way of writing, sentimentally cynical, makes you
uncomfortable at times; but it's so enthralling.

[NOT SHOWN]

Ray Bradbury "Dandelion wine"

I read it once, a long time ago and, as I remember, it's an
ultimate ode to summer and all the beautiful and weirdly satisfying
things one enjoys doing throughout these few months.
The summer is almost here so I need to pick a copy.

Thanks, Zhenya!

Photos by Zhenya Posternak