Birds Art Life, Kyo Maclear
Birds Art Life, Kyo Maclear
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Birds Art Life
A Year of Observation

Author: Kyo Maclear

Narrator: Laurel Lefkow

Unabridged: 4 hr 50 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/03/2017


Synopsis

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.

About Kyo Maclear

Kyo Maclear was born in London, England, and moved to Toronto at the age of four. Her most recent book, Birds Art Life, was published in seven territories and became a Canadian #1 bestseller. Unearthing was an instant bestseller in Canada as well. Kyo received a PhD from York University in the environmental humanities. Her short fiction, essays, and art criticism have been published in Orion MagazineAsia Art PacificLitHubBrickThe MillionsThe GuardianLion’s Roar, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), among other publications. She is also a children’s author, editor, and teacher.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Dave on January 07, 2019

I read this book because I am a fan of Kyo Maclear's picture books such as Julia, Child; The Liszts; Virginia Wolf, all adorably illustrated whimsical clever books. I also had thought I should this year read outside of my comfort zone once in a while and read a non-fiction reflective book, maybe sor......more

Goodreads review by Krista on December 21, 2017

I knew birds were not trivial. They were constantly chirping, and what they were saying, or what I heard them say, was Stand up. Look around. Be in the world. Birds Art Life is a hipstery memoir – Toronto-based writer Kyo Maclear drops the names of arthouse movies and indie musicians that I've ne......more

Goodreads review by Samantha on October 05, 2017

If the books I review on this website are indicative of something, it's that I don't read a lot of non-fiction. I'm the person who'd much rather an action packed novel about, say, an alien invasion than a long study debating alien existence full of essays and scientific evidence. On the rare occasio......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on August 04, 2018

This was not the right book for me, but I am weirdly reluctant to give it fewer stars - perhaps because I can see why it was perfect for the friend who recommended it to me, perhaps because it is so earnest and occasionally says just the right thing in just the right way. Birds Art Life is not really......more