The Birding Life: A Passion for Birds at Home and Afield (1 Viewer)

This book explores some of the ways in which people appreciate and relate to birds. In the first third of the book, brief chapters take readers into the field at some well known birding spots, and into the homes of some birders. The remainder of the book is much the same, but it focuses more on people who are interested in, or influenced by, birds. But I wouldn't necessarily call them all birders. Apparently, the main way they express that interest is by collecting, and decorating their homes with, avian-themed art and objects, from paintings to sculpture, pillows to wallpaper.

It is an attractive book, filled with photos of (some) birds, birders birding, and the collections in the homes of these people. It is also well-written and engaging. The author is not a birder himself, and you can tell at times, but overall he does justice to birding.

However, I don’t think it will appeal to everyone interested in birds. If, like me, the first part of this book sounds more relevant to you, I would recommend checking it out if you are also interested in bird-centric art and other objects. Instead, if the second part is more your cup of tea, or if you’re curious about the various ways people express their passion about birds, I would unreservedly recommend The Birding Life.

Here's my full review of The Birding Life