Book review: The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

I just finished reading a wonderful book by Amy Tan, who I have loved since SAVING FISH FROM DROWNING (another great read) many moons ago.

The Backyard Bird chronicles is a captivating covid era ornithological soap opera journal, recounting Amy’s experiences while in lockdown. Maintaining the bird feeding haven she created in her yard kept her focused and inspired. She spent her days observing, sketching, taking notes, filling pages with drawings and descriptions. Amy’s obsession and sense of curiousity is strong and her passion can be felt in her words and artworks.

I loved learning that not only is Amy a great writer, but a fine artist as well. The book is filled with lively sketches depicting behaviors and lovely portraits of birds. You also gain insight into Amy’s sense of humor and her obsessive tendancies when it comes to her fascination with birds. These birds are spoiled! They have a gourmet buffet and no one is turned away. Amy even shows compassion for the rats, owls, hawks and squirrells, respecting the circle of life.

She writes in a relatable manner which makes he reader feel they are getting to know both her amd the birds personally. This book left me feeling that Amy would be fun to hang out with.

Personal, educational, a visual feast and entertaining, The Backyard Bird Chronicles is a great read. If you don’t already love bird watching, this book will change your mind!