4.0
The Backyard Bird Chronicles
By Amy Tan & David Allen SibleyPublisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight, written and illustrated by the best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club • With a foreword by David Allen Sibley
“Unexpected and spectacular” —Ann Patchett, best-selling author of These Precious Days
"The drawings and essays in this book do a lot more than just describe the birds. They carry a sense of discovery through observation and drawing, suggest the layers of patterns in the natural world, and emphasize a deep personal connection between the watcher and the watched. The birds that inhabit Amy Tan’s backyard seem a lot like the characters in her novels.” —David Allen Sibley, from the foreword
Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us, The Backyard Bird Chronicles maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches. With boundless charm and wit, author Amy Tan charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world.
In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater—an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.
“Unexpected and spectacular” —Ann Patchett, best-selling author of These Precious Days
"The drawings and essays in this book do a lot more than just describe the birds. They carry a sense of discovery through observation and drawing, suggest the layers of patterns in the natural world, and emphasize a deep personal connection between the watcher and the watched. The birds that inhabit Amy Tan’s backyard seem a lot like the characters in her novels.” —David Allen Sibley, from the foreword
Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us, The Backyard Bird Chronicles maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches. With boundless charm and wit, author Amy Tan charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world.
In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater—an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communities12 Reviews
4.0
Katie Denis
Created 7 days agoShare
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hiyacailey
Created 12 days agoShare
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“Beautiful, meditative nature writing. If I were to read this again, I’d read this in small bits rather than from cover to cover like a novel. I especially loved the illustrations!”
Beautifully writtenDescriptive writing
Carolyn
Created 12 days agoShare
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“This was absolutely delightful. I love Amy Tan’s fiction writing and getting a glimpse into her daily world was very cool. I loved getting to see her artwork progress through the years (she is SO talented!) and seeing her go from curious to full-tilt, unabashed obsessed with the birds in her backyard was so funny and relatable! This book has encouraged me to add more birdfeeders to my yard, get some binoculars, and, if the inspiration holds, start practicing nature drawing! Highly, highly recommend this beautiful and endearing book!”
Likable charactersBeautifully writtenDescriptive writingFeel good
Attabey Rodríguez Benítez
Created 23 days agoShare
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“About to become a crazy bird lady”
Maggie Davis
Created about 1 month agoShare
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About Amy Tan
AMY TAN is the author of several novels, including The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter's Daughter. She is a co-producer and co-screenwriter of the film version of The Joy Luck Club and is on the board of American Bird Conservancy. She lives in Sausalito, California.
Other books by Amy Tan
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