The Backyard Bird Chronicles

I've always loved Amy Tan's nonfiction pieces. This is stellar writing, close-up immersion into a rarely seen world with perspectives on the rest of the tumultuous universe we live in.

It features Amy's actual notebook entries and drawings of birds. We can really see her bravery as well as her progress as an artist. Such a great reminder to all of us of the power of the beginner mindset...and the magic of having a daily practice (whether birds or art or writing or whatever!). We don't necessarily need new and different; sometimes the most powerful way of looking is deeper and deeper into the same.

This book paints a picture of a world-renown author in her cozy Marin County home designed to attract feathered friends. In it, we see a relaxed and curious Amy when she can observe and wonder without constraints, expectations, and stress. The book chronicles her life between 2017 – 2022 from COVID through California wildfires, and the death of dear friend. Within the pages, she reprimands free ranging cat owners – something she’s held back from doing on Facebook, - describes window fatalities, and death forensics. Her sketch pages are filled with behavioral notes and thought bubbles showing the voice and… show more.