The Backyard Bird Chronicles

By: Amy Tan, David Allen Sibley - foreword

Narrated by: Amy Tan, Evan Sibley

A gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight, written and illustrated by the best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club • 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.

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF of images and resources from the book

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Amy Tan and David Allen Sibley (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Delightful . . . Tan’s lovely graphite and colored pencil drawings reveal yet another side of the multitalented author . . . Her depictions of their habits and foibles are laced with considerable wit . . . Her bird chronicles are fun, too—and informative.”—Heller McAlpin, Los Angeles Times

“Much of great writing comes from great interest, and in The Backyard Bird Chronicles, Amy Tan shows us how the world fascinates her, especially the birds. The result is both unexpected and spectacular.”—Ann Patchett, author of These Precious Days

“What an enchanting and illuminating book! How lucky for us that Amy Tan has turned her genius, her deep empathy and insight, her keen eye for what is telling, to birds. Every page of these chronicles radiates warm curiosity, wonder, and delight.”—Jennifer Ackerman, The Genius of Birds

Gentle, bird-centric plot

If you like birds (or want to learn more about them) this book is for you

Wondrous!

This book was like cool breeze on a warm day. Calming, refreshing, and interesting without being demanding. Just great!

Nature journaling is great.

I found in a truly journaling group in Austin, Texas, and in Tucson, Arizona, where I hope to participate.

Amy Tans narration is wonderful

Does not matter if you like birds 🦅 or not you will love this book and may find a new hobby. I now know why this book has been number one in best sellers. I will reread this book as soon as my wife finishes it and we can compare notes . Very rare I can find a book that moves me like this one did. I must get the hard copy also so I can see Amy’s drawings .

Inspiring!

I LOVED hearing and learning about the birds in Amy’s yard. She reads so beautifully, it was a pleasure listening.

Beautiful

Honest, charming and thoughtful. I needed this to remind me of the beauty in the world still. I am truly moved. It even got me back into birdwatching and art.

Transported

Initially, I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer number of birds that where shared, but soon I felt transported into Amy's backyard, eager to learn more. It felt almost like discovering a hidden secret. This experience sparked my curiosity and deepened my love for the enchanting world of birds. Although I am not an artist, I now feel inspired to explore and create within my own backyard. Thank you for turning what appears at the first glance to be small but now I know it is much bigger. It was a completely beautiful experience.❤️🐦

Emotional connection to the birds

I absolutely loved hearing Amy Tan’s authentic voice describing her experiences and growing connections to the birds that visit her yard. I felt that emotion myself listening to her and could appreciate her curiosity, love and great empathy.

Intimate Bird Watching

I liked the completeness of her description of her observations of birds in her yard, her intense and unguarded curiosity. She is unafraid of expressing her emotional involvement in the process of feeding and observing the birds. And she learns from, and teaches, through, the whole process. In her beautiful writing style.

A Delightful and Unusual Memoir

Amy Tan's nature journal is part informational, part conversational, and a touch social commentary. Her joy and heartbreak is clear throughout. I suspect she is more bird than human.