Birds are such amazing creatures and this book has amazing storytelling about all different birds. I know birds mean so much to so many people and are often tied to many spiritual meanings so I loved reading this book and the different essays.

A collection of sweet, simple written essays. This book was a nice break from the thick fantasy and heavy thrillers I've been buried in recently.

Each one is a personal experience with some type of bird, either wild or pet. Although the writing is a bit clunky in some places, it feels direct and real, a bit like a friend has written a letter. The stories remind me a bit of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Many of the stories seem to be reminiscing about childhood or younger years. I got the vague impression that most of the writers were retirement age, based on the perspective and some notes like, "I hoped to show my granddaughter that there’s more to life than her technological gadgets." (This one made me laugh because the children I know are pretty darn aware that there's a lot to life, but I know this is a common opinion of modern kids.)

I think a bit more variety would have been nice, as a lot of the stories feel like they have a similar "voice." But then again, I'm likely not the exact target audience, so the editor probably knows what they're doing.

I've always loved birds. On vacation, I could stare at (or follow) pigeons and seagulls for an hour. Two birds that even enthusiast find dull after awhile, but we didn't have them where I grew up. That love never left but it took me a couple of decades to realize there were other people -- a whole hobby! -- that felt like me (maybe less so about the pigeons and gulls, but that's ok, more for me).

So, this is a lovely book. Slow-paced and cozy. It does have a warning in the introduction about animal death. There are several sad or melancholy stories. I was thankful that the warning was given upfront. Apparently this editor has other collections about animals and always had a rule *against* stories about death. Personally, that would have been my preference, but it's easy to make me cry over animals I don't know and I'm sad enough. Reading is my escape.

Final note, I'm not religious, so I was a bit hesitant about the description mentioning God. I love birds and I'm not especially stalwart in my agnosticism. I'm glad I decided not to care because this isn't a religious-heavy book. There are a few stories than mention it in passing. Not an issue.

If all of that sounds like silly criticism, then this is a 5-star read for you. It's easy, comfortable, and delivers on exactly what it promises. I recommend reading it on a porch, at the morning or dusk, to the sounds of whatever birdsong graces your backyard, should you be so lucky :)

ever since i moved house about a year ago, birds have become such a lovely part of my life. so many of them visit our garden and the trees around our house that we’ve made sure we have plenty of feeders and birds baths for them. just being able to see and hear them everyday is such a joy and really reminded me how important they are. this book truly captured all of that. it was so lovely to read all of these stories of people’s love over birds and the fascinating things they do. sometimes the stories did feel a bit fabricated and silly, but it still had that sweet and emotional message to it that sometimes had me tearing up. i loved the messages of patience, hope and happiness all these stories included and the importance of stepping out of our busy life’s to take time to watch and appreciate nature. if you’re a bird fan, an animal fan i highly recommend this. even if you’re neither, this is a story filled with reasons to stop and appreciate the things around us, including the cute and quirky birds.

thanks for netgally for providing me with this arc.

Thank you NetGalley and Revell for providing me with an ARC copy. My review is my own opinion and not influenced in any way.

Consider the Birds by Callie Smith Grant is a beautiful collection of short stories revolving around how birds influence and change our views on life. Each of the stories touched me in an emotional, vivid way. Some of the stories even made me cry and left a lasting impact on my heart. My favorite piece has to be "That Day My Husband Cut Down a Tree" by Susy Flory in which her husband cuts down a tree and the remains of the tree saves a bird's life as it provides the perfect hiding spot from predators. The story captivates how, as the Flory states, "one life had been traded for another, and what seemed like death had instead become a resurrection and rebirth."

Another story that touched me was "Tweets for Help" by Karen M. Leet. Leet admits to not being an avid birder, but she feeds the birds in her backyard. This story focuses on how the birds cried for help after a squirrel was trying to get bird eggs in a nest, and Leet runs out of the house to the rescue. The theme shows how birds and humans can co-exist with each other and work together against a predator.

The themes of death, rebirth, love, and human-bird-nature relationships play a huge role throughout all the stories. Each author captured the themes of their stories through beautiful prose, and vivid description that is worth the read. Birds changed these authors lives, and by reading this book, it will change your perspective on your relationship with birds and nature.

This was a delightful little read full of wonderful stories. This is one I'll return to again and again. I highly recommend this to all bird-lovers. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I love birds, and this book was a great one about birds and the people like me who share that love. Something tells me this will sell well.