 Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World, by Christian Cooper.
Christian Cooper accidentally became famous because of a viral video. While bird-watching in Central Park, he told a woman (ironically, also named Cooper) to leash her dog. The woman became furious, telling him she was going to call the police and tell them "a Black man was threatening her." Cooper addresses the incident in the book, as well as some of the interactions he had with the press afterward. One reporter wanted to stage a sit-down between him and Amy Cooper; since she had not shown remorse or acknowledged the racism in her actions, he refused. Another reporter wanted to film him watching the video of George Floyd's murder, an absolutely bizarre and cruel idea. Despite the title, this is more memoir than birding book. Cooper describes growing up as a gay Black Pagan nerd with a Star Trek obsession. He talks about his travels all over the world, and the spiritual connection he felt in certain places. He's open about his complicated relationship with both parents, but more reticent about past boyfriends, perhaps because they're still alive. And of course there's a lot about birding, including tips for novice birders, and vivid descriptions of the joys of birding. There's the beauty of the birds and their music, the chance to enjoy time spent in nature, the fun of puzzle-solving when identifying a bird, and the thrill of adding a new species to his lifetime views. While I read the print version, a friend of mine recommends the audio book, which includes the bird calls. Popsugar Reading Challenge: About birding. 52 Book Club Challenge: Author has the same first and last initial. Booklist Queen Challenge: First-person narrative.
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