bookbirder's review against another edition
5.0
I can't rate this book for another individual, but this book was perfect for me. As somebody who is a bird nerd but not a twitcher, it was comforting to hear the story of a birder which for once included the hard parts and the time that it took to build patience and strength. It helped me to examine my own relationship with birding, and to realize that I have time to change that relationship.
I also considered the book to be well written, and to flow nicely between (and within) chapters.
I also considered the book to be well written, and to flow nicely between (and within) chapters.
marmat89on's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
This author was able to explain birding to a total novice. Recently I started ‘backyard birding’ (and squirreling), which is what led me to this book. As expected, I was able to learn a bit about the hobby, birds in general, and perhaps less expected was the delightful stories accompanying each lesson. She was able to tell her story of how she became a birder – along with stories of growing up, romance, friendship, death, and immigration. The book remained interesting, utilizing different life experiences to weave in birds. I highly recommend, whether you’re a birdwatcher or not. You’re a human, and you’ve seen birds in the air. That’s all it takes for a nice book.
finesilkflower's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.0
A series of essays on birding using the framework of birding to frame reminiscences of Canadian life from a Russian immigrant family, falling in love, accepting childlessness, and dealing with midlife malaise. As a birder who has typically failed to find any birds when visiting Toronto, I enjoyed the details about how people go about birding in Toronto. (It involves landfills.)
Stray Observations:
In typically Canadian self-deprecating style, Zarankin insists on playing up her failures, and regales us with lots of stories about rookie birding mistakes. The focus on failure is, I think, intended to make the book more approachable than the typical "big year" memoirs, which tend to gloss over the difficulties of actually finding and correctly IDing birds. Still, over the course of the book you learn she's been birding ten years, volunteers as a bird bander, and has been on several birding trips, etc., so I think ultimately the refusal to accept that she's not a beginner has the opposite effect as intended since it feels like the bar to not being a beginner is being set awfully high.
There's a weird moment where Zarankin claims an Orthodox Jewish salesclerk at B&H Photo criticized her for buying binoculars from the German company Zeiss. I don't believe this happened.
Stray Observations:
In typically Canadian self-deprecating style, Zarankin insists on playing up her failures, and regales us with lots of stories about rookie birding mistakes. The focus on failure is, I think, intended to make the book more approachable than the typical "big year" memoirs, which tend to gloss over the difficulties of actually finding and correctly IDing birds. Still, over the course of the book you learn she's been birding ten years, volunteers as a bird bander, and has been on several birding trips, etc., so I think ultimately the refusal to accept that she's not a beginner has the opposite effect as intended since it feels like the bar to not being a beginner is being set awfully high.
There's a weird moment where Zarankin claims an Orthodox Jewish salesclerk at B&H Photo criticized her for buying binoculars from the German company Zeiss. I don't believe this happened.
joanneadams54's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
lllkilli's review against another edition
3.0
Late 30s woman joins a bird watching group and (eventually) becomes obsessed with birds. Bio relates birds to her life ( migration to her move from Soviet Union to Canada, chance at seeing a rare bird to meeting her husband). It’s ok. Timeline is a little jumpy. Some ok jokes. Amused that she got her grandmother to steal a library book on birds for her.
Wish it had pics of the birds mentioned.
Some interesting bird facts:
-American woodcock can see backwards and forwards
-female phalatropes are more colourful than their male coin
-songbirds have a sexual organ that stimulates their voice box in breeding season. This organ shrinks other times of the year
Wish it had pics of the birds mentioned.
Some interesting bird facts:
-American woodcock can see backwards and forwards
-female phalatropes are more colourful than their male coin
-songbirds have a sexual organ that stimulates their voice box in breeding season. This organ shrinks other times of the year
littlesprite21's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
froge's review against another edition
2.0
Supremely disappointed by this book! I'm a birder (and, like the author, gained my love of birding in Toronto), but this book missed so many marks. The author's imposter syndrome was absolutely exhausting - she claims to be a beginner birder yet owns $1000 binoculars, a scope, goes on multi day birding expeditions, volunteers anually at the local bird banding station.... Girl, you are a bonified experienced birder and your refusal to recognize that is grating and attention-seeking. I almost feel bad for actual beginner birders reading this book who might be discouraged from continuing to bird thinking that they'll never become a "good" birder. Also, if you like looking at birds, you're a birder. Own it.
Beyond the author's constant seeking of approval from the readers, the multiple comparisons of life events to bird behaviour was...childish? I'm not sure how to put it except that I felt like I was reading a high schoolers essay who discovered the literary device of comparison for the first time. Again, I was so deeply disappointed by the book. Especially because so many birding memoirs are by men, and was excited for a different perspective. The only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the sections that actually described birding and the birds themselves were lovely, and I really enjoyed the Toronto references. Beyond that, not worth reading.
Beyond the author's constant seeking of approval from the readers, the multiple comparisons of life events to bird behaviour was...childish? I'm not sure how to put it except that I felt like I was reading a high schoolers essay who discovered the literary device of comparison for the first time. Again, I was so deeply disappointed by the book. Especially because so many birding memoirs are by men, and was excited for a different perspective. The only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the sections that actually described birding and the birds themselves were lovely, and I really enjoyed the Toronto references. Beyond that, not worth reading.