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The Backyard Bird Chronicles

By Amy Tan
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Brief Description
'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... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES is 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.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'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

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 towards 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 greaterβ€”an opportunity to savour quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.

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

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781472160577

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 August 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Corsair

Illustration: 113 illustrations (full-colour, by author, in pencil)

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 160.0mm

Height: 206.0mm

Weight: 657g

Pages: 320

Collections

2025 Best Sellers Amy Tan Best Sellers at Book Hero Biography & Memoir Father's Day Sale Father's Day Sale: Books Father's Day Sale: Science & Nature General Fiction Happiness & Mental Health In Stock Books Mindset & Self Help Motivation & Inspiration New Release Fiction New Year, New You New Zealand's Best Selling Books Non-Fiction Personal Development Philosophy & Psychology Science & Nature Self-Help & Personal Development

About the Author

Amy Tan is the author of The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God's Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, and two children's books, The Moon Lady and The Chinese Siamese Cat, which has been adapted as Sagwa, a PBS series for children. Tan was also the coproducer and co-screenwriter of the film version of The Joy Luck Club, and her essays and stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. Her work has been translated into more than 25 languages. Tan, who has a master's degree in linguistics from San Jose University, has worked as a language specialist to programs serving children with developmental disabilities. She lives with her husband in San Francisco and New York.

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  • The Joy Luck Club
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    The Joy Luck Club is Amy Tan's bestselling classic novel that explores the intricate relationships between mothers and daughters. The Joy Luck Club is an ambitious saga that's impossible to read without wanting to call your Mum, says Stylist. Discover Amy Tan's moving and poignant tale of immigrant Chinese mothers and their American-born daughters. In 1949, four Chinese women, recent...
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  • The Backyard Bird Chronicles: 50 Postcards
    World-renowned, bestselling author Amy Tan is an enthusiastic birder and a talented painter of the birds she observes near her Northern California home. This collection of 50 postcards (25 designs, repeating twice) showcases drawings from her New York Times bestselling The Backyard Bird Chronicles (Knopf, April 2024).
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