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Description
"A writer's search for inspiration, beauty, and solace leads her to birds in this intimate and exuberant meditation on creativity and life--a field guide to things small and significant. When it comes to birds, Kyo Maclear isn't seeking the exotic. Rather she discovers joy in the seasonal birds that find their way into view in city parks and harbors, along eaves and on wires. In a world that values big and fast, Maclear looks to the small, the steady, the slow accumulations of knowledge, and the lulls that leave room for contemplation. A distilled, crystal-like companion to H is for Hawk, Birds Art Life celebrates the particular madness of chasing after birds in the urban environment and explores what happens when the core lessons of birding are applied to other aspects of art and life. Moving with ease between the granular and the grand, peering into the inner landscape as much as the outer one, this is a deeply personal year-long inquiry into big themes: love, waiting, regrets, endings. If Birds Art Life was sprung from Maclear's sense of disconnection, her passions faltering under the strain of daily existence, this book is ultimately about the value of reconnection--and how the act of seeking engagement and beauty in small ways can lead us to discover our most satisfying and meaningful lives"-- "A writer's search for inspiration, beauty, and solace leads her to birds in this intimate and exuberant meditation on creativity and life"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Beamis12
A book that found me at the perfect moment. I was feeling stressed with all the things that needed to be done before Christmas, anxiety ridden because time was running out. I started reading this book at night, a month at a time, loved how this bookman divided by months, and since the author was
Married, with two young boys, she, with the help of a bird loving musician friend, takes to walking and noticing the birds in her vicinity. I loved that she looked form and learned about the common birds in her area, studying books, and learning patience in her struggle. I loved the month where she discusses the importance of little things, how sometimes they are overlooked for bigger things, bigger gestures. She goes on to lost small books that had big messages, made a big impact. Reminded me that taking things a little at a time was less overwhelming. Another month discusses authors who had an outside hobby and how they seemed more content, well rounded.
Many other insightful discussions, a great resource for writers and non writers alike. Enjoyed this very much.
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also having a problem with anxiety, her struggles helped me with my own. Of course hers were forma different and more important reason than mine were, her father's failing health, feeling closed in and worried about losing her creativity. Married, with two young boys, she, with the help of a bird loving musician friend, takes to walking and noticing the birds in her vicinity. I loved that she looked form and learned about the common birds in her area, studying books, and learning patience in her struggle. I loved the month where she discusses the importance of little things, how sometimes they are overlooked for bigger things, bigger gestures. She goes on to lost small books that had big messages, made a big impact. Reminded me that taking things a little at a time was less overwhelming. Another month discusses authors who had an outside hobby and how they seemed more content, well rounded.
Many other insightful discussions, a great resource for writers and non writers alike. Enjoyed this very much.
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LibraryThing member jessibud2
This deceptively gentle book began as a sort of memoir by the author when her father becomes ill and she searches for a way to deal with this. She befriends a musician who also happens to photograph birds and follows him for a year. In the process, she learns not only about birds, but about
- "We had been coming to our tiny cabin for ten years, trading modern conveniences for cool, sweet lake water. Any issues I had with communal dining, theme nights, bonfire singalongs (camp is an introvert's nightmare) were offset by the joy of watching my sons wander independently on the land. Most days, they left in the morning and returned - grubby, scuffed, and sometimes bleeding - after nightfall.
It was this self-reliance and freedom, so familiar to my own childhood, that I hoped to kindle. By the time I was nine, I roved freely around the neighbourhood until dark. My mother, busy minding her Japanese art gallery, left the leash long.
Thirty years later, in the same city, my children rarely strayed from our home or garden. As a parent who sat somewhere in the middle of the helicopter-laissez-faire spectrum, I wondered what it meant for their independence to be so severely compromised. I wondered and yet I found it hard to let them go. Other parents probably wondered too. Maybe we were just worried about the cold opinion of our peers if we didn't cosset our children enough. All I know is the neighbourhood was full of incarcerated children.
Having entered one of the most profoundly chaperoned moments in history, I wanted my sons to experience the kind of unstructured play that builds courage and curiosity. So late summer had become a time of jailbreak."
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herself, and her family. A lot of insight and wisdom is packed into this lovely little volume. There is a short passage from Maclear as she contemplates her sons' independence and freedom to be kids:- "We had been coming to our tiny cabin for ten years, trading modern conveniences for cool, sweet lake water. Any issues I had with communal dining, theme nights, bonfire singalongs (camp is an introvert's nightmare) were offset by the joy of watching my sons wander independently on the land. Most days, they left in the morning and returned - grubby, scuffed, and sometimes bleeding - after nightfall.
It was this self-reliance and freedom, so familiar to my own childhood, that I hoped to kindle. By the time I was nine, I roved freely around the neighbourhood until dark. My mother, busy minding her Japanese art gallery, left the leash long.
Thirty years later, in the same city, my children rarely strayed from our home or garden. As a parent who sat somewhere in the middle of the helicopter-laissez-faire spectrum, I wondered what it meant for their independence to be so severely compromised. I wondered and yet I found it hard to let them go. Other parents probably wondered too. Maybe we were just worried about the cold opinion of our peers if we didn't cosset our children enough. All I know is the neighbourhood was full of incarcerated children.
Having entered one of the most profoundly chaperoned moments in history, I wanted my sons to experience the kind of unstructured play that builds courage and curiosity. So late summer had become a time of jailbreak."
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LibraryThing member oldblack
I liked this book. I found it thought-provoking and meditative. I feel a connection (or would like to feel) with North-East part of America and this book helped consolidate that feeling. I'd like to visit there and see and feel the things she describes, first hand.
LibraryThing member charlie68
A book about the author's discovery of a new world of birds and the aging of her dad. Both ideas are not fully expressed leaving the reader wanting more. Some good bon mots, but I found most of them facile, lacking in depth, something one might find on a Starbucks cup. It's worth the trip because
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the book is short. It didn't change life with any out-of the-world insight. Show Less
LibraryThing member pbirch01
This book is one of those books that could also have had a good life as a blog. There are frequent references to YouTube videos or online personas that I wanted to look up immediately upon reading about. Regardless, this is a short and but impactful book that left me with quite a bit to think
Its also one of the best books I have read about a normal person processing the effects of climate change. I feel like most of the books on climate change are either a purely scientific book or some sort of futuristic dystopia. This is neither and its incredibly refreshing to read about a very personal response to mankind's impact on both bird populations and the Earth at large.
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about. In this book, Maclear uses birding over the course of a year as a way to deal with the emotions surrounding her aging father. Her narrative style is interesting and often reads more like a journal or notebook with her private thoughts being publicly broadcast. However, this means the book can be frustrating at times because it often seems like there is more to both storylines but the author is holding back both in terms of fully discussing these topics.Its also one of the best books I have read about a normal person processing the effects of climate change. I feel like most of the books on climate change are either a purely scientific book or some sort of futuristic dystopia. This is neither and its incredibly refreshing to read about a very personal response to mankind's impact on both bird populations and the Earth at large.
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LibraryThing member gypsysmom
I loved this book! I had not heard of Kyo Maclear before but when she mentioned her war correspondent father I realized I was quite familiar with him. Kyo doesn't go running off to the world's troubled spots but she brings the same introspection and acuity to her writing that Michael Maclear did to
Kyo didn't know much about birds when she started out. She was feeling anxious and adrift as a result of her father's health problems. She realized she wanted a journey and a guide for that journey but since she was an urbanite with family responsibilities her journey was going to have to be close to home. She learned of a local musician who was also a birder and gifted photographer who had found peace by birding in the city. She contacted him and asked him to guide her for a year to learn about birds. Along the way she thought about art and life. Each chapter is devoted to one month, the birds she saw that month and the thoughts she had about art and life. Each chapter is a gem!
In September Kyo and her guide saw a baby goldfinch on the ground unable to fly. Kyo wanted to help it somehow but was convince by the musician to leave it alone. Later Kyo regretted listening to him and wrote this about regret:
What do you regret? I regret the times I have acted with too much head or, conversely, with too much hear. I regret the times it seemed better, somehow, to hang back and not step forward. I regret, along with writer George Saunders, the tepid and timid response, the moments when another "being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded...sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly." I regret the instances I have turned to others for guidance even when I already had a hunch of what to do. I regret the part of me that is deferential, that fears being sentimental. I regret I am not more propelled by impulse, nerve, instinct. I regret I am not better able to hide my natural sincerity under a slant and sucy wit. I regret I am not captained by science.
Except for that last sentence those thoughts echo ones I have always had. How wonderful that someone else has felt the same things and put them into words!
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his reportage.Kyo didn't know much about birds when she started out. She was feeling anxious and adrift as a result of her father's health problems. She realized she wanted a journey and a guide for that journey but since she was an urbanite with family responsibilities her journey was going to have to be close to home. She learned of a local musician who was also a birder and gifted photographer who had found peace by birding in the city. She contacted him and asked him to guide her for a year to learn about birds. Along the way she thought about art and life. Each chapter is devoted to one month, the birds she saw that month and the thoughts she had about art and life. Each chapter is a gem!
In September Kyo and her guide saw a baby goldfinch on the ground unable to fly. Kyo wanted to help it somehow but was convince by the musician to leave it alone. Later Kyo regretted listening to him and wrote this about regret:
What do you regret? I regret the times I have acted with too much head or, conversely, with too much hear. I regret the times it seemed better, somehow, to hang back and not step forward. I regret, along with writer George Saunders, the tepid and timid response, the moments when another "being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded...sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly." I regret the instances I have turned to others for guidance even when I already had a hunch of what to do. I regret the part of me that is deferential, that fears being sentimental. I regret I am not more propelled by impulse, nerve, instinct. I regret I am not better able to hide my natural sincerity under a slant and sucy wit. I regret I am not captained by science.
Except for that last sentence those thoughts echo ones I have always had. How wonderful that someone else has felt the same things and put them into words!
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LibraryThing member Briars_Reviews
Book Review
Book Title: Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation
Book Author: Kyo Maclear
Introduction: I was craving some inspirational nonfiction, so I decided to pick this book up. I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads for an honest review.
Review:
"Every love story is a potential
This book is an inspirational gem that truly surprised me. I never expected a book about watching birds to be one of my favourite reads of the year. There are numerous quotes that are truly amazing from this novel, and now I want to pick up many more Kyo Maclear novels.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a pick me up. Difficult topics are discussed within this novel, but it gives you a very different view on life. It's not just a book about birds - it's a book about humans too. While there are facts within this book about birds, it's not just an encyclopedia. Kyo Maclear explains movements throughout life and how changes can be dealt with through analogies, metaphors and similes. Overall, it's a truly impressive book.
The more I read this book, the more I appreciated it. While I might not have been able to relate to every topic discussed in it, I truly felt lifted after reading it. With so many inspirational quotes, it was hard to not put a sticky note on almost every page where I found words that just fit with me.
"Die knowing something. Die knowing your knowing will be incomplete." - Kyo Maclear.
The final two pages of this book gave a list of many, wonderful lessons. Lessons regarding living in general, taking chances, surprises, opening up, relaxation, people, and having a guru in general. Out of this entire book, I felt that these two pages summed the book up better than the synopsis. If you're not going to read the entire book, just reading those two specific pages makes the entire novel worth it.
Final Thoughts: I was truly impressed by this book. I was not expecting to get so attached and feel so desperate to continue reading it. Who knew birds could be so interesting?
Five out of five stars.
Book Title: Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation
Book Author: Kyo Maclear
Introduction: I was craving some inspirational nonfiction, so I decided to pick this book up. I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads for an honest review.
Review:
"Every love story is a potential
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grief story" - Kyo Maclear reference - Julian Barnes's Levels of Life.This book is an inspirational gem that truly surprised me. I never expected a book about watching birds to be one of my favourite reads of the year. There are numerous quotes that are truly amazing from this novel, and now I want to pick up many more Kyo Maclear novels.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a pick me up. Difficult topics are discussed within this novel, but it gives you a very different view on life. It's not just a book about birds - it's a book about humans too. While there are facts within this book about birds, it's not just an encyclopedia. Kyo Maclear explains movements throughout life and how changes can be dealt with through analogies, metaphors and similes. Overall, it's a truly impressive book.
The more I read this book, the more I appreciated it. While I might not have been able to relate to every topic discussed in it, I truly felt lifted after reading it. With so many inspirational quotes, it was hard to not put a sticky note on almost every page where I found words that just fit with me.
"Die knowing something. Die knowing your knowing will be incomplete." - Kyo Maclear.
The final two pages of this book gave a list of many, wonderful lessons. Lessons regarding living in general, taking chances, surprises, opening up, relaxation, people, and having a guru in general. Out of this entire book, I felt that these two pages summed the book up better than the synopsis. If you're not going to read the entire book, just reading those two specific pages makes the entire novel worth it.
Final Thoughts: I was truly impressed by this book. I was not expecting to get so attached and feel so desperate to continue reading it. Who knew birds could be so interesting?
Five out of five stars.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Briars_Reviews
Book Review
Book Title: Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation
Book Author: Kyo Maclear
Introduction: I was craving some inspirational nonfiction, so I decided to pick this book up. I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads for an honest review.
Review:
"Every love story is a potential
This book is an inspirational gem that truly surprised me. I never expected a book about watching birds to be one of my favourite reads of the year. There are numerous quotes that are truly amazing from this novel, and now I want to pick up many more Kyo Maclear novels.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a pick me up. Difficult topics are discussed within this novel, but it gives you a very different view on life. It's not just a book about birds - it's a book about humans too. While there are facts within this book about birds, it's not just an encyclopedia. Kyo Maclear explains movements throughout life and how changes can be dealt with through analogies, metaphors and similes. Overall, it's a truly impressive book.
The more I read this book, the more I appreciated it. While I might not have been able to relate to every topic discussed in it, I truly felt lifted after reading it. With so many inspirational quotes, it was hard to not put a sticky note on almost every page where I found words that just fit with me.
"Die knowing something. Die knowing your knowing will be incomplete." - Kyo Maclear.
The final two pages of this book gave a list of many, wonderful lessons. Lessons regarding living in general, taking chances, surprises, opening up, relaxation, people, and having a guru in general. Out of this entire book, I felt that these two pages summed the book up better than the synopsis. If you're not going to read the entire book, just reading those two specific pages makes the entire novel worth it.
Final Thoughts: I was truly impressed by this book. I was not expecting to get so attached and feel so desperate to continue reading it. Who knew birds could be so interesting?
Five out of five stars.
Book Title: Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation
Book Author: Kyo Maclear
Introduction: I was craving some inspirational nonfiction, so I decided to pick this book up. I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads for an honest review.
Review:
"Every love story is a potential
Show More
grief story" - Kyo Maclear reference - Julian Barnes's Levels of Life.This book is an inspirational gem that truly surprised me. I never expected a book about watching birds to be one of my favourite reads of the year. There are numerous quotes that are truly amazing from this novel, and now I want to pick up many more Kyo Maclear novels.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a pick me up. Difficult topics are discussed within this novel, but it gives you a very different view on life. It's not just a book about birds - it's a book about humans too. While there are facts within this book about birds, it's not just an encyclopedia. Kyo Maclear explains movements throughout life and how changes can be dealt with through analogies, metaphors and similes. Overall, it's a truly impressive book.
The more I read this book, the more I appreciated it. While I might not have been able to relate to every topic discussed in it, I truly felt lifted after reading it. With so many inspirational quotes, it was hard to not put a sticky note on almost every page where I found words that just fit with me.
"Die knowing something. Die knowing your knowing will be incomplete." - Kyo Maclear.
The final two pages of this book gave a list of many, wonderful lessons. Lessons regarding living in general, taking chances, surprises, opening up, relaxation, people, and having a guru in general. Out of this entire book, I felt that these two pages summed the book up better than the synopsis. If you're not going to read the entire book, just reading those two specific pages makes the entire novel worth it.
Final Thoughts: I was truly impressed by this book. I was not expecting to get so attached and feel so desperate to continue reading it. Who knew birds could be so interesting?
Five out of five stars.
Show Less
Awards
Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction (Shortlist — 2017)
Trillium Book Award (Winner — 2018)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Book (2017)
ISBN
9780385687515