As an amateur bird enthusiast myself, I was immediately drawn to Amy Tan's The Backyard Bird Chronicles. The book is a beautiful tribute to our feathered friends as well as to those of us who get much enjoyment through watching them. While there is quite a bit of background information given in the beginning of the book, most of the book is simply the journal of a woman who has grown to love the birds in her backyard. The book itself is a nature journal resplendent with full descriptions and many sketches of birds involved in different activities. Tan has a way with words and so this doesn't read like a scientific journal, although there is plenty of science to be found. The sketches are works of art in and of themselves and add so much to the words on the page. From her backyard in California, Tan shares the beautiful world she has created with us, the readers. She brings that world to life with her insightful descriptions of the scene found outside her home. The astute reader will also find glimpses of Tans life; the way her home was built and why, how she perceives certain political hot button topics, and climate change. Those things notwithstanding, her love for birds and nature shines brighter than anything. She speaks of each bird as though she knows them, which is not too far fetched considering the book takes place over 5 years. For me personally, it was validating to read that I am not the only one who assigns human thoughts and actions to birds. It is obvious that Amy Tan loves birds, most especially the ones in her own backyard. This book is a lovely acknowledgment of the joy and beauty that birds bring to our lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan is a thoughtful journal of wildlife in the author’s backyard. I enjoyed it so very much as the reader comes away with a template for discovering their own backyard or wildlife area. Amy Tan asks the questions and searches for the answers giving us all the opportunity to try if we consistently make an effort. Her sketches are phenomenal and really bring out the character of the birds and animals she observed. I love the idea of chronicling daily to chart the change and growth of the wildlife as well as the growth of observer, too. Thank you to Amy Tan, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor publishers for the opportunity to enjoy this fantastic book.

I suspect I’m one of the few readers of this book who had never read anything by Amy Tan previously. I have a strong passion for nature, predominantly of wilder varieties than backyard birding, but it was nice to follow the author’s growth from someone who knew nothing about birds to someone knowledgeable about them, and understanding how ecological factors affect them.

There was also a good deal of humor.

If the advance ebook I read is a valid representation, I’d recommend buying a paper copy, rather than Kindle, to fully appreciate the many drawings and the accompanying handwritten notes.

Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

Amy Tan, renowned for her captivating storytelling in novels like "The Joy Luck Club," takes a departure from fiction with her latest work, "The Backyard Bird Chronicles ". This unexpected foray into the world of information reveals a different facet of Tan's literary prowess and passion. Initially expecting another enthralling narrative, I was surprised to find a wealth of knowledge about birds within the pages of this book. This is a departure from Tan's usual fictional terrain, offering readers a glimpse into her fascination with the avian world. While this might not be the anticipated sequel to one of her beloved stories, it's a delightful exploration of a new subject. Tan's writing style, though different from her novels, retains its charm and eloquence. She seamlessly weaves together facts, personal anecdotes, and observations, making the subject matter accessible and engaging for readers. The book is a reflection of Tan's own journey into the world of birds and the profound impact it has had on her perspective. One of the unexpected joys of this book is the way it encourages readers to appreciate nature and see the world through a different lens. Tan's genuine passion for birds is contagious, and her ability to convey that enthusiasm through words is commendable. After reading the book, I found myself more attuned to the beauty of nature, noticing things I might have overlooked before.
In conclusion, this is a delightful departure from Amy Tan's fiction, offering readers a unique insight into her fascination with birds and the natural world. It's an educational journey that not only imparts knowledge about our feathered friends but also leaves readers with a renewed appreciation for the wonders of nature.

Amy Tan known as a skilled writer brings her considerable gifts contemplating the birds she observed in her own backyard. An amateur ornithologist and accomplished artist, beginning in 2016 and over the long months of Covid she created her own nature habitat in her backyard. At any early age Tan was taught wildlife observation skills by her father but only as an adult did she take up sketching . These talents are combined in her beautiful prose and watercolor sketches as she lovingly describes some sixty different species of bird that visit her backyard sanctuary.
While one could read this book from start to finish and learn a great deal about the habits of many birds, another approach is to simply dip into any random chapter and enjoy Tan’s reflections. A soothing balm for the soul , Backyard Birds is a delightful surprise and an invitation for the reader to consider keeping their own reflective nature journal.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC of this book!

Since the pandemic, I discovered a newfound love of birding. My daily walks along the creek by my house had me recognizing patterns and birdsong. So reading Am Tan's own journey to loving and admiring birds was both familiar and comforting. I appreciated the (very good!) doodles of each of the birds and hearing about how she learned to sketch them; super impressive stuff to an artistically-challenged person. Overall, this read was light and fun, and I highly recommend to anyone invested in birding.

This book is uniquely beautiful. It is simply Amy Tan's journals and sketches of the birds in her backyards, but it's also so much more. It's reflections on stopping and watching the world around us, specifically what's in nature. It's a deep dive into the details she sees, relationships she notes, and connections she makes to the birds who find their way to her backyard. There were also some really interesting facts about different birds throughout. And her sketches are quite stunning. This was an unexpected read in a good way, and I found myself captivated by her world of birds. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this April 2024 release.

Amy Tan is a gifted writer. I will forever remember reading The Joy Luck Club in my 10th grade English class. I was really excited to receive a copy of The Backyard Bird Chronicles, not realizing that it is a journal of the bird in Tan's backyard that she was inspired to draw during the early days of the pandemic. There is no doubt that she is a talented writer, but this is such a niche book - probably of more interest to those who enjoy bird watching as a hobby. I will give three stars just because it was not at all what I was expecting but the writing - and the message about slowing down - is still lovely.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC.

I loved this unusual book. The prose is so witty and so personal. The drawings are so exquisite for an "amateur" birder. She shows us the beauty and wonder of nature in our own backyards.

I am a long-time fan of Amy Tan and am happy that she has taken up extensive birdwatching in her backyard with the help of the John Muir Laws. While I am happy for her on a personal level, I cannot say that it made for riveting reading material.

As an aside, I have heard several unsavory accusations against John Muir Laws and do wish to support him in his bird sketching endeavors and predatory practices

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published April 23, 2024.

The premise of this book appealed to me, because I, too, spend a lot of time looking out my windows at the birds and the wildlife. My favorite are my “pet” hummingbirds, but I also like to watch the juncos, house finches, flickers, crows, and squirrels.

This book is unique in the best of ways. It is Amy Tan’s journal entries dating back to 2016 when, the world was so divided, and filled with hate, that she turned to her backyard for peace and comforting. What started out as a hobby for her turned into much much more as she became a knowledgeable birdwatcher. The book is also filled with pencil drawings that she drew of all of the creatures she sees in her backyard. The drawings are quite impressive, and also comical at times.

She writes “Watching birds for countless hours is the way to get to know them, and drawing is the test to demonstrate that knowledge.”

Since part of her journal takes place during the pandemic, she writes”Thanks to the birds, I have never felt cooped up, staying at home. So much remains new, so much can be discovered. As restricted as we are by the specter of a deadly disease, when watching birds, I feel free.”

This is not a typical nonfiction book (bird observations and drawings), and some may find it quite boring. But let me tell you: her huge cast of characters (all of the birds) combined with all of the emotions, funny stories, and interesting questions will make you laugh and cry, and hopefully appreciate what’s outside your window in a new way.

What a lovely read by a fabulous writer and amateur birder. Is there anything that Amy Tan can't do? Over the course of this short book, she shares her backyard birding adventures and the joy she experiences observing birds as they stop in her yard along their migration, or raise their young in her trees and branches, or as they learn to problem solve in order to get the best bits of food. Her illustrations and journal entries are sprinkled throughout the book which add to the charm - it makes me want to start nature journaling and spending more time in observing my immediate environment. Her curiosity is infectious, the stories she creates around her avian characters are entertaining and I've learned quite a lot about birds in the Bay Area. 4.5 rounding up to 5.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the e-arc. I do think this is the kind of book that would be better as a hard copy so you can really enjoy the journal entries and illustrations.

The e-arc I received I read on my kindle and so I am not sure whether the formatting and drawings were in their intended states. I didn't see any color and the drawings were small and difficult to read, but it's obvious Amy Tan is not only a wonderful author, but skilled at sketching (or in the alternative, insert correct term for whatever this is here). I mean if you are into birds who meander into California, this may just be the book for you. But it's kind of like reading someone's journal who is really into a subject that you've casually observed. Like birds are cool and all but I hardly have the ability to engage in the kind of bird watching depicted here. For that reason, I did not feel super connected to any of it. All that aside, this was definitely not boring and I still enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

There's a joke on IG that the older you get the more you appreciate birds.

I know the forward and preface talk about youth birding here but this is more true for me and my friend group in our late 30s/40s. So to that end loved this! Such a delightful look into a wonderful world.

I follow the Green Bird Brigade on IG now so I get more bird content and yes, that's also probably why I adored this

I don’t know what happened to me but one day I started watching birds. And listening to them. I used to hear them communicate in the strangest ways until I realized I was also listening to squirrels - ha!
Anyway- so imagine my joy when I discovered this new book about birding by Amy tan! And not just writing- artwork as well!

Of course all the stars for this book. I would prefer it in physical form though even though I read a lot of ebooks.

This would make a great gift for all bird lovers/watchers!

If you are a birder, or simply live where you have birds flying by, this book will draw you in and probably trick you in to putting out some seed and sitting back to watch. Amy Tan brings the same insight and contagious joy to bird watching as she does to her captivating fiction. Her books have stayed with me over the years, and now, as a more sedentary senior, I have enjoyed bird watching and appreciate the way Amy Tan has given the birds personalities and character traits that rival those in her fiction. In this book she tells of the beginnings of her birding hobby as it developed, including failures long with successes. Her drawings are exquisite, showing another skill of this multi talented women..
#Thebackyardbirdchronicles. #NetGalley

I have enjoyed the author's previous books very much, and I have to commend her for writing this one. What a departure from her other books! And what a talent she has. Wow.
I definitely can relate to Ms. Tan's love of watching birds. It's something I have enjoyed for almost 60 years. From the first birds my father pointed out to me as a boy in Wisconsin (blue jays, chickadees, and grosbeaks), to the first robin of spring, to beautiful Baltimore Orioles, and on and on. I remember the first Indigo Bunting I saw, in a creek bottom while trout fishing as a teen. It absolutely took my breath away. And then on to ducks and geese, and then owls out here in the PNW. I currently have SEVEN feeders in my yard, and spend many moments just watching the birds come in.
The author seems to have the same love for birds. The difference being her absolute incredible ability to describe them, as well as her beautiful drawings of them. What a great artist!
I fell in love with this book. I received it as an ARC from NetGalley, but I will absolutely be buying a hard copy when it is released in April. As well as a copy for my father, who is now 89 years old and still feeding the birds. I'm sure he will love it!
Thanks Ms. Tan for a great experience!

The chronicles is a passion project for author Amy Tan. As she shares, in 2016 she began to steadily document bird sightings. The drawings over the years become more refined and absolutely beautiful. It's a pleasure to read a great writer's musings and this is a gem of a book for any Amy Tan fan, birdwatching fan or just someone wanting to slow down and appreciate the nature around us #Thebackyardbirdchronicles #amytan #knopf

Amy Tan invites the artist in all of us to come with her as she shares the birds that visit her yard. And yes, I believe that everyone has an artist inside... her encouragement is contagious! I read this ARC on my Kindle App on my iPad, but I believe that the true delight of this book (Amy's artwork) might be best experienced in the book, which I absolutely plan on getting!

I love the idea of keeping track of my backyard visitors! If you love to watch birds, you will enjoy this book! If you are inspired to try your hand at drawing your backyard visitors... you will absolutely love this book!

I would like to thank Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this copy of The Backyard Bird Chronicles. This book will be published April 23, 2024.

This book was an absolute delight! Just lovely writing and a truly enjoyable read especially for the novice birder. The drawings are simply spectacular and the forward by David Sibley is splendid. Highly recommend for the birder/nature lover in your life. Really fun to see how human relationships developed as a result of a common interest in birds.