Page 21 - The Jewish Voice - March '25

The Jewish Voice, Page 21

arts & entertainment

Book Review earlier books include
the novel, The Joy Luck
The Backyard Book Chronicles Club, which became an
international bestseller
By Nils A. Shapiro and the inspiration for
Nils began his career the hit motion picture
as marketing director for of the same title.
a major book publisher. After learning
He has since edited the of the book, I had
authors’ manuscripts’ for immediately decided
more than 20 published to schedule it for
books, written more than review in my column,
200 book reviews, served thanks to my daughters’
as publisher of several thoughtfulness, a clear
million-plus circulation indication that they are
national magaz ines, very much tuned in to my reading tastes, this very special
created the official yearbooks for teams in Major book was already in my hands. And now, as I have just
League Baseball, the National Football League, National turned the last page I am in awe of every aspect of this
Basketball Association and National Hockey League, and remarkable work:
“retired” as president of a successful telecommunications • the very concept of the book—a day by day dated
company. journal of the author’s experiences watching and inter-
It was a wonderful surprise—and coincidence—when acting with the natural lives of the wide variety of bird
a copy of this book arrived at my home one Monday as a species that visit her home’s backyard in the San Francisco
gift from my two daughters, Brett and Hillary. Just a day Bay area;
earlier I had noted The Backyard Book Chronicles at the • the author’s writing skills that reflect the wide range
top of the Sunday New York Times nonfiction bestseller of emotions she (and we) feel through her experiences; the
list, and Barnes & Noble bookseller chain’s naming it as more than 130 drawings, sketches and color illustrations
their “Book of the Year.” Tan herself learned to create that include many which
Such success is not new to author Amy Tan, whose ten compare favorably to the iconic Audubon paintings,
• and even the splendid presentation of this initial
edition from the publisher, Knopf, with a hardcover
binding that is slightly flexible and the book’s overall
stunning design.
In 2016, unhappy and uncomfortable with the national
and international news swirling around her and everyone
else—and having always been aware of what she refers to
as her lifelong “obsession” with birds —Amy Tan decided
Upscale Resale to focus inward, studying the natural life within her own
backyard, and to keep a personal journal of that experience.
She took drawing lessons to brush up on the art skills she
Experience The Difference had already demonstrated at a very young age.
After an excellent and informative foreword by
New and consigned furniture, unique lighting, accessories and gifts. renowned ornithologist David Allen Sibley, who explains
Complete wallpaper and fabric library for all your design needs. why birdwatching has become such a popular activity
throughout the U.S., followed by the author’s preface
in which she describes a childhood and personal life
interests that have led to this new book, the first entry in
the Chronicles is dated Sept. 16, 2017; the last is dated
Dec. 15, 2022.
That is a period of just over five years in which Amy
Tan, and we readers along with her, learn so much and feel
so much as she not only watches the many species of birds
that visit her backyard, but often becomes a part of their
lives—feeding them, sometimes holding them, protecting
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Over 32,000 sq. ft. in 2 locations to serve you! of the seeds meant for the birds—and each day learning
something wonderfully new which she shares with us: their
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13857 Wellington Trace • 561.798.5222 Throughout the period covered in these pages Tan learned
to identify 62 different kinds of birds that visited her backyard
myconsignanddesign.com Nanci Smith, CEO
Arts & Entertainment on page 22
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