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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
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Amy Tan is the author of several novels, including The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter’s Daughter. She is a co-producer and co-screenwriter of the film version of The Joy Luck Club and is on the board of American Bird Conservancy. She lives in Sausalito, California. 

“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…The birds that inhabit Amy Tan’s backyard seem a lot like the characters in her novels.” —David Allen Sibley, from the foreword
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In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world. In search of peace, the bestselling author turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. 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.
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The Backyard Bird Chronicles maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches. With boundless charm and wit, she charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world.

Rev. Rodrick Echols serves as Pastor at Neighborhood Congregational Church, UCC in Laguna Beach, CA. He is a graduate of both Brown University and the School of Theology at Boston University. With 20 years of professional experience in the religious ecosystem, he is a pastor in transition to a new world where the largest religion in America is now no religion. His insatiable curiosity causes him to wonder about the possibilities of human spirituality untethered from religion.