Author: Amy Tan
# of Pages: 280 (hardback)
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: A gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight. 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 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.
Review: I knew exactly what I was getting myself and that I wouldn't be interested in the topic (birds) of this book any more than the average non-birder. Did that stop me? Apparently not.
This book deserves 5 stars for delivering exactly what it advertises: whimsy journal entries from famous author Amy Tran on her birdwatching hobby with some very realistic illustrations.
But based on my level of enjoyment, it would be 2 stars. I don't share Tan's fascination of birds. She even humanizes their behavior which can either come off as charming or a bit obsessed (nothing wrong with an obsession but makes it harder to relate). While I was open to learning more, the entries got repetitive as she sees more of the same birds visit her backyard. This book really should have been limited to a max of 80 pages, if that.
So I'm settling on 3 stars for delivering but maybe not worth being delivered for the average reader. I would only recommend this if you're interested in a birds and want to see some amazing illustrations (although I didn't appreciate the larger-than life yellow jacket drawing).
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