Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing this arc in exchange for honest feedback. The Backyard Bird Chronicles is a collection of musings on nature from amateur birder and talented writer Amy Tan.

The Backyard Bird Chronicles felt like a warm cup of tea on one of those chilly spring mornings. It was so cozy and felt like hanging out with a friend. I loved reading about the birds and their sweet, silly personalities, as well as the lovely illustrations of their antics. I can’t wait to purchase when the book releases and enjoy the illustrations in their full glory.

I also enjoyed the little snippets we got from Tan about her career and other writing. I’ve never read any of her fiction, but if the prose in this book is any indication as to its quality, I look forward to my time with them.

Five stars if you are a birdwatcher and/or nature lover.

I have previously loved Amy Tan’s fiction, and during the pandemic, like many others, I became more interested in birds, so I was delighted to see that she had written a memoir about bird watching.

She was actually over 60 when her bird obsession began and she went all in: participating in nature classes with experts, learning how to sketch and paint birds, and finally, spending a lot of time just observing what was going on in her own backyard.

Her memoir is beautifully illustrated with her own art. If you can paint hummingbirds that seem to glitter in metallic colors then you’ve definitely accomplished something! It is an act of courage to share one’s art as an amateur, and I admire her for doing that.

She goes into great detail about her reflections on the birds who visit her backyard: their habits, lives, her attempts to feed them, and at times take care of them. So if you are not at all interested in birds then this is probably not the book for you. Her writing is excellent and surprisingly funny at times. She has a great sense of playful humor and sometimes adds little comic strips to her drawings.

It is so sad that we in certain societies have lost touch with our avian friends. We used to know their songs, know the time of day and time of year from when they visited us. That knowledge is still there, just outside your window if you take the time to seek it. And Amy Tan has truly done that in this lovely memoir.

What a delightful book about Amy Tan and her relationship with birds. I love that she only just started drawing in her 60s and yet there are some really whimsical drawings, full of humor and life. Reading this book is like happening upon a sketchbook of an old-timey naturalist with a new world slant. I particularly enjoyed the hummingbirds, the horned owl, and the Wilson's Warbler. Tan's writing about birds is imbued with so much passion, it's a thoroughly readable book!

I love birds and would love to have the patience and time to set up bird feeders. I loved Amy Tan’s curiosity and observations of the birds that frequent the feeders that she carefully and thoughtfully put in her yard. I loved the pictures and spent a lot of time just staring at them.

I have long loved Amy Tan, and I was cery excited to hear she’d written a book about one of my favorite things: birds! It was a delight, and the illustrations are beautiful.

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.

I loved this book. What an enjoyable read. Being a backyard birder myself I could relate to every entry in her journal. The wonder and awe she felt every time she discovered a new bird and her sadness over the the losses was felt through every page. The drawings are truly beautiful and I'm sure in color they are spectacular. What a lovely book.

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