Lili Taylor

Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Accessible essays about searching for peace in the cacophony of birds and discovering a world of meaning in small moments—from award-winning actress Lili Taylor.

Most people don’t really know birds—or rather, they aren’t aware of them. Lili Taylor used to be one of those people. She knew birds existed. She thought about them, maybe even more than the average person. But she didn’t know them. And then something happened.

During a break from her show more work as an actor, Lili sought silence and instead found the bustling, symphonic world of birds that had always existed around her. Since then, she has kept a keen eye pressed to her binoculars in search of vivid stories that elevate the everyday, if only one pays attention.

Through a series of beautifully crafted essays, Taylor shares her intimate encounters with the birds that have captured her heart and imagination—from tracking flitting Zorros through oak trees to spotting majestic Bluejays perched on a Manhattan fire escape; from the exhilaration of chasing a migratory flock up the Empire State Building to the quiet joy of observing a nest of hatchlings in her own backyard.Through simply paying attention to birds, Lili has been shown a parallel world that is wider and deeper, one of constant change and movement, full of life and the will to survive.

This book is part-memoir, part-love letter to the beauty and resilience of the natural world—a reminder of the profound connections that exist between all living things. Taylor's lyrical prose and thoughtful meditations on both the art we make and the art we discover around us create a sense of intimacy and wonder, inviting readers to see the world through new eyes and to find joy in the most unexpected places.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Essays are tricky to recommend...they depend so much on how something is said, but possibly even more on who's saying it; never, of course, forgetting the all-important what the essays are about. These essays succeed, for this reader, at least in part because Author Taylor is an indie-film darling with a very clear body of work behind her, thus has solid credibility; and also stays busy by acting in shows like Outer Range and the Lincoln's assassination series Manhunt as Mrs. Lincoln.

In the midst of that, and raising a child, she's been active in conservation organizations like the Audubon Society...her work for them, her work life, her busy-ness, led her to seek time to spend enjoying the natural world she was working to protect.

Birding offered a way to do that while still working. Bird census, anyone? This collection is clearly by a deeply committed person, one with a lot of integrity, who does not simply sit and wait for things to change but stands up and gets into the fray.

The humor, the anecdotes, offer her acting-life fans the little jolts of familiarity that make books by celebrities so appealing. Those who came for the Mystic Pizza or the I Shot Andy Warhol girl will feel satisfied catching up to her; those who love her TV work will too. Both can get their fixes with a side of gentle encouragement to seek solace in the unhuman world we exist inside but so seldom look around at. The birding is a joy to her, it feels as though she's telling us her secret to long life and happiness (she's younger than I am, so I hope it works but won't be around to find out).

A novice birder's delight; a celebrity-follower's browsing garden; an example of how to be multifaceted in a world that would prefer you do one thing and shut up about everything else. What it isn't is a how-to, or a guide to the world of birding. It's meditating on the benefits of time in nature, not giving a how-to. Organizing the book by species watched with the whys and the hows of that moment in her life made me feel I was along with her...woodcocks, bluebirds, those awful house sparrows...and what happened while she was doing the watching...well, it worked for me.

As a reminder to seek a mindfulness practice, all five stars; as a birding book, four and three-quarters...but as a celebrity tell-all, three stars. Hence my weighted average of four and a half stars and a smile. show less

This is a short read (the audiobook is just over 4 hours) but it's lovely (and the ebook has beautiful illustrations by Anna Koska).

I loved Taylor's descriptions of the birds and how she tied the skills she needs in her day job (as an actor) to birdwatching (observing, specificity). She writes (and narrates) with an earnestness that I wish I had (maybe that's why she's such a convincing actress?).

Because I do not enjoy traveling, I will probably never see the Sandhill Cranes on the Platte show more River or experience a Woodcock landing on my chest, but I do know what it's like to battle with House Sparrows and feel the awe of a close-up with bird through binoculars.

Ms Taylor is absolutely correct, everyone should own a pair of binoculars, and they don't have to be the $1000+ pairs she's gifted (what do I need to do to befriend a Swarovski rep?). My first pair were a no-name 12x magnification sent to me by my sister via Amazon, my current pair are 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks purchased during a Father's Day sale. I also have a Nocs tube and some smaller pairs around the house -- because you never know when you might need a closer look at a bird from the kitchen window.

Lovely little book, read this if you enjoyed:
Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper
The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
Birding to Save the World by Trish O'Kane
A World on the Wing by Scott Weidensaul show less

Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor is a very highly recommended collection of twelve essays about her passion for birds and discovering a world of meaning in paying attention everywhere you go. Actress Lili Taylor is an avid birder and a board member of the National Audubon Society, the American Birding Association, and the New York City Bird Alliance. This short book was a pleasure to read.

Chapters/stories include an intro, Bird Festival, Bins (binoculars), Bedouin (birding while on location), show more Cedar waxwing, Swifts, Tribute in Light (9/11 memorial), Finches, Catbird, Sparrow (house sparrow vs. bluebirds), Cranes, Woodcock, and Godspeed (mass bird migration). Included are black-and-white illustrations by Anna Koska. Opening with the story of the circumstances that awakened her love of birds fifteen years ago in the introduction, Taylor goes on to list and then explains that the skills actors used are also valuable skills for birding. These include: listening, attention, investigation, observation, perception, and specificity.

The essays are delightfully personal while also being educational and interesting, especially for those who enjoy birds. Having experienced the migration of the Sandhill cranes many times while growing up, her wonder watching it is understood. I never knew that the 9/11 memorial lights in NYC are turned off for 20 minutes to help protect migrating birds when enough birds are captured in their light and found this comforting. Although perhaps an essay addressing raptors and other birds versus wind turbines would also be educational for people. Taylor's battle to protect her bluebirds was almost personal. My battle was keeping a neighbor's cat away from them.

Turning to Birds is for those who enjoy birds and beautifully crafted essays. Thanks to Crown Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/04/turning-to-birds.html show less

Absolutely loved this book! The joy and insight brought tears to my eyes at least twice. Beautiful observations about birds and birding, about "the power and beauty of noticing," about how to live more fully and meaningfully.