Everything you need to know about a balanced life,
"I bought this for myself and then had to go back and get it for my best friend. He is just entering his bird watching, listening, talking to era!"
The Backyard Bird Chronicles (2024 B&N Gift Book of the Year)
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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the author of The Joy Luck Club comes a gorgeous and witty exploration of birding and nature. This inspiring work cultivates hope and connection, revealing the rhythms of our world and uncovering its beauty hidden in plain sight. * 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.
The Backyard Bird Chronicles (2024 B&N Gift Book of the Year)
Sale price$31.00
Regular price$36.00
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The Backyard Bird Chronicles (2024 B&N Gift Book of the Year)
Sale price$31.00
Regular price$36.00
Wrap Completes the Gift
Holiday Glitter Leaves Handmade Paper
Sale price$6.50
Holiday Circle Photo Frame Custom Wrapping PaperPaper Source
Sale price$13.36
Regular price$16.70
Set of 5 Sheets
Mint Gingerbread Village Wrapping Paper
Sale price$12.50
Elf Train Holiday Flat Wrap
Sale price$7.50
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 10 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Summary topics
Review topics: ["book","illustrations","notes","story","sketches","drawings","experience","read"].
Review highlights
Reviews
Very Well Done Book
"Very Well Done book on the birds and every type found in the authors backyard. All the sketches and drawings of the birds are extremely top notch."
The Backyard Bird Chronicles
"Nice book. The Forward and Preface seemed to go on forever. I know they really were not that long, but I felt like, let’s just get to the darn book. I loved the illustrations. I wish I could sketch anything like she did. As you move your way through the book you can see how much she improves in her bird drawings. It’s kind of amazing. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but not as much as I thought I would. I love birds but this lady is a little crazy. It was a Christmas gift, but I doubt I would have purchased it. Quite expensive."
This book is a small wonder!
"Amy Tan applies her storytelling superpowers to The Backyard Bird Chronicles. The art is exquisite, and her notes are funny, warm and insightful. Slow down and find joy in nature with this book! I came for my love of Amy Tan’s novels and will be gifting this heartfelt memoir to friends for the beautiful, meditative experience it delivers."
Unforgettable Read !
"Amy Tan Backyard Bird Chronicles - wow, it was an incredible experience! Amy’s calming voice completely drew me in as she beautifully shared her journey of falling in love with birdwatching. I found her passion so relatable—it’s like she tapped into the universal feeling of discovering a personal hobby that ignites pure joy. If you love engaging stories and a touch of nature, this is a must-read !"
Full of charm
"An absolutely insightful look into the world of backyard birdwatching. Each drawing and sentence illustrates the care and thought behind the observations of Amy tan."
A Book to Savor
"Tan delights with her keen amateur observations about the birds that hang out in her backyard to eat, socialize, and live out their days. The highlight here is really the gorgeous illustrations that Tan provides, both the rough and often funny sketches directly from the pages of her journal, to the more refined and clearly skilled pencil drawings which realistically depict her avian visitors. Take your time with this book, dip in and out for a brief glimpse into the lives of Tan's birds as they flit from feeder to birdbath."
I was obsessed with this book before it existed!
"I've been a fan of Amy Tan since The Joy Luck Club and when I saw her social media posts of her bird drawings, the first thing I thought was """"this NEEDS to be a book!"""" The reality did not disappoint! A great read for nature lovers, artists, or anyone just looking to escape reality for a little while."
A reminder to step away from the screen
"For anyone who found themselves bird watching during the initial covid years (I mean, who didn't?) and beyond, you'll enjoy these interesting notes & beautiful illustrations about the birds Tan sees (and holds) in her own yard. Her humorous side notes remind me of comments we'd make in my own home about the birds & animals outside."
delightful illustrated love story to birding
"The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan is a delightful illustrated love story dedicated to birds and bird watching. It is very highly recommended. This is an amazing book and I can't wait to buy a hardcover copy. In 2016 Amy Tan began keeping journals with drawings about the birds she observed in her northern California backyard. The Backyard Bird Chronicles represents material from nine journals full of observations from September 16, 2017 to December 15, 2022. Most of the entries are observations or lighthearted notes, but a few more serious events are also included, like the 2017 salmonellosis outbreak among Pine Siskins. She observes and identifies the many birds, the problems like squirrels, crows, cats, etc. At the end is a list of all the birds she has seen in her backyard as of Dec 2022, and a selected reading list. This is a spectacular book! I can't even explain how much I adored this book. I loved the charming personal, reflective, humorous observations about the birds, the information, and especially the sketches of the birds she seeing. Tan is the daughter of an ornithologist, which explains some of her knowledge, but she also adores watching the birds. Her devotion to feeding them, providing water, and creating a welcoming habitat for a wide variety of birds is inspiring. David Allen Sibley, the acclaimed ornithologist, wrote the foreword and writes that this is a "collection of delightfully quirky, thoughtful, and personal observations of birds in sketches and words. " Thanks to Knopf Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion."