I’ve always enjoyed birds and fed them when I lived in the north. In Florida I enjoy birds that I see but I don’t attempt any backyard feeders. Amy Tan’s The Backyard Bird Chronicles relates her absolute obsession with backyard birding. She has become a credible bird artist and has a magnificent journal in which she records every detail of the birds that visit her backyard. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan is a relaxing and enjoyable birding journal from one of the beloved authors of our time.

As a bird enthusiast, I really enjoy a good observational journal, and that paired with talented sketches, is exactly what this book fulfills. Ms. Tan has a way of presenting these home experiences in a relaxing, smooth, and engaging way. It made for a great experience.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Knopf for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/23/24.

This was a very cute, brilliant birding journal intertwined with some good life lessons. I related heavily to the author and their journey from city living and modern problems, to learning that returning to nature helped almost all of my problems. Especially mental. I had a good time reading this book, and it was a pleasure to enjoy it.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

This wa a lovely delightful read .Amy Tan sharing her home her birdwatching with us I loved her charming bird sketches a wonderful fun read.#netgalley #knopf

This is a birding journal. It's mostly observations of the many birds who frequent the author's backyard feeders, along with (often tongue-in-cheek) speculation about the birds' habits and lives as well as (to my eye, quite proficient) sketches. I'm sure it would be very interesting to a bird lover or Amy Tan completist, but I did not find it compelling reading. I was hoping there would be more of a memoir element, or perhaps some writing related wisdom, but when I put the book down at 36% nothing in that vein had appeared.

I am an avid birder and I have enjoyed all of Amy Tan’s books so The Backyard Bird Chronicles seemed a perfect fit for me. I wasn’t wrong. Tan vividly describes the behaviors of birds which frequent her feeders and deck in Northern CA. Her love of birds is evident in her vivid descriptions as well as the amount of time (and money) she spends on this hobby. Her knowledge of migration patterns and nesting habits made this book an interesting read. As expected the writing is excellent but a nice surprise is her illustrations. Her drawings are great and her captions are insightful, informative, and sometimes funny. I especially enjoyed reading about the colors and markings she looked for when trying to identify bird species. Her tips will help me with my own birding journals. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys nature and especially birding. I thank Knopf publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Charmingly written and illustrated, these short essays chronicle Tan's experiences feeding, attracting, and watching birds in her Nothern California backyard.

Having read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, I was excited about The Backyard Bird Chronicles book by her when I heard of it in a Cornell video.
The author gave a good introduction into her process of how she got into birding and took it serious with pencil miles.

Apart from fun reading, you learn a lot about birds because of her curious mind ad hypothesis-

Drawing spider webs to deflect bird collision. Spiders have learned to build a UV visible web for birds so they know its a sign to not ruin their hard work.

How to cool hummingbird nectar in hot weather? Who knew that it was bad for them to have it hot or that it can get so hot.

Birds taste buds or lack of it..

Handwritten and llustrated notes pulse with bird life.

Apart from the anthropomorphization, there's lot of humor in the book. Amy's Bistro. Breaking news. Even a who-dunnit which shows you how to write.

Regarding novel wriitng Tan says " I have to carry a thousand pieces in an increasing complex configuration toward the luminous vision of a story that remains a mirage" . Wish we get to see that process in another book.

If you love bird watching this is for you. Amy Tan shares her observations and drawings use just what she sees in her back yard, for beginning and advanced bird watchers. She says her drawings are basic but bdsaree. They really add to the book. I loved her comments on the drswings

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Amy Tan is an incredible author and budding artist. Her observations are witty and thoughtful like her previous books. The illustrations are honest and contemplative and made me love birds even more!