Week 16 Reading Wrap-Up: Birds, Birds, and More Birds (and Propaganda)
Reviews
This week’s reading lineup fluttered between personal reflection, philosophical density, and quiet backyard observation. If nothing else, it’s been a lesson in not judging a book by its cover—sometimes literally. Three books, three very different vibes, and only one that really soared.
📘 Learning the Birds by Susan Fox Rogers
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Despite the ornithological promise in the title, this book lands firmly in the memoir category. Learning the Birds is more about the author’s journey—both internal and interpersonal—than about birds themselves. And while there’s nothing wrong with that on its own, the emotional tone felt underdeveloped. The author often comes across as self-absorbed and surprisingly immature when writing about her relationships, which makes it tough to connect, especially in a memoir. There are glimmers of insightful reflection, but they’re few and far between.
Side note: If you’re looking for bird facts or lyrical nature writing, you might want to keep flying. If you’re in the mood for some soul-searching tinged with occasional bird mentions, this may work better for you.
📙 How Propaganda Works by Jason Stanley
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
This one was a bit of a bait-and-switch. The title and cover suggested an accessible breakdown of political persuasion—maybe something Malcolm Gladwell-adjacent. What I got was an academically rigorous, jargon-heavy philosophical treatise. Now, to be fair, Stanley clearly knows his stuff. But the tone and terminology often felt like they were more concerned with impressing than informing.
It’s the kind of book that might be assigned in a graduate seminar, but for a general reader? It’s a lot. I respect what it’s trying to do—but I wish it had been edited with a broader audience in mind.
Fair warning: If you’re just beginning to explore propaganda, start elsewhere. If you’ve already waded through Foucault and Habermas and want a challenge, this might be your next step.
🐦 Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
A true standout this week, even if it didn’t fully align with my preferences. Amy Tan—yes, that Amy Tan—brings her literary sensibility to birding, creating a book that is equal parts nature journal and meditation on attention. Each entry is a quiet moment, captured in elegant prose. There’s no narrative arc, per se—just the accumulation of observations, drawings, and reflections, all rendered with care.
While I didn’t fall in love with the format (journals aren’t really my thing), I couldn’t help but admire the artistry. This is a book you linger over, like watching birds at a feeder—nothing urgent, just small beauties if you’re paying attention.
Final thought: Not a plot-driven read, but a wonderfully crafted one. Fans of quiet nature writing and reflective journaling will likely adore it.
On the Horizon
Next week, I’m shifting gears a bit with:
- The Cartographers – a literary mystery that’s a random recommendation
- God Has a Name – a spiritual deep-dive with a conversational tone
- Down the Hill – true crime, because I need something to keep me awake after all the bird books
📚 Get Your Copy
Want to check them out for yourself? Here are the links:
- Learning the Birds by Susan Fox Rogers → Amazon | Bookshop
- How Propaganda Works by Jason Stanley → Amazon | Bookshop
- Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan → Amazon | Bookshop
🔗 Resources
If these books piqued your curiosity, here are a few related reads and resources:
Nature Journaling Inspiration: Look into The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws
