Slowing Down with Amy Tan
National Humanities Medal winner and bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan joins us to share on her body of work and reflect on the wonder of slowing down and savoring the quiet moments. Her connection to nature is captured in her latest, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, a collection of sketches and essays which debuted at #1 on both the New York Times and the Indie bestseller list.
Born in the U.S. to immigrant parents from China, Tan’s first bestselling novel, The Joy Luck Club, offered a look at the immigration experience from the perspective of mothers and daughters. Other New York Times best-sellers followed, including The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Saving Fish from Drowning, and The Valley of Amazement. Tan is also the author of two children’s books, a memoir, and other works. In keeping with her love of science and childhood love of doodling, she recently took up nature journal sketching. When she found herself overwhelmed by our increasingly divisive culture, she turned to nature and the world of bird life outside her own window.
ILLINOIS LIBRARIES PRESENT | SPRING 2025
Jan 9, Virtual Visit with Steve Dolinsky, 7 pm
Jan 23, Virtual Visit with Michelle Buteau, 7 pm
Feb 4, Virtual Visit with James McBride,7 pm
Feb 19, Virtual Visit with Amy Tan,7 pm
Mar 4, Virtual Visit with Coralie Adam, 7 pm
Mar 21-23, 9 To 5: The Story of a Movement,
Apr 10, Virtual Visit with Alexis Nikole Nelson,7 pm
May 3, Virtual Visit with Dan Santat, 2 pm
May 15, Virtual Visit with Matthew Desmond, 7 pm
Illinois Libraries Present is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Illinois Libraries Present is committed to inclusion and accessibility.
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