William McInnes is a talented writer and a natural storyteller. A tail-end baby boomer, William recalls summer holidays that seemed to go on forever, when he and his mates would walk down to fish in the bay, a time when the Aussie battler stood as the local Labor candidate and looked out for his mates, and a time when the whole family would rush into the lounge room to watch a new commercial on TV. He writes about his father a strong character who talks to the furniture, dances with William s mother in the kitchen, and spends his free time fixing up the house and doing the best for his family. In William s writing you can hear his father speaking, listen to his mother singing, and his sisters and brothers talking in the yard. This is a book about people who aren't famous but should be. It s about cane toads and families, love and hope and fear, laughter, death and life. Most of all, it is a realistic, down-to-earth book by a man who had a great time growing up. His warmth and humour come through on every page. This Australian memoir tells of a time that will be familiar to many readers and a delight for all.

About the Author

William McInnes is one of Australia s most popular stage and screen actors, and with the publication of his memoir A MAN S GOT TO HAVE A HOBBY and his novel CRICKET KINGS, he has become a much-loved writer too. In 2006 A MAN S GOT TO HAVE A HOBBY was selected as one of the Books Alive 50 Great Reads and William was named Australian Newcomer of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards, and in 2007 CRICKET KINGS was shortlisted in the Australian General Fiction Book of the Year category for these awards. William received critical and public acclaim for his leading role in the film Look Both Ways, written and directed by his late wife, Sarah Watt. In 2011, he and Sarah co-wrote WORSE THINGS HAPPEN AT SEA, a celebration of family life in words and pictures. He is the Ambassador of the Year of Reading, 2012. William grew up in Queensland and now lives in Melbourne with his two children. Previous Books: THAT D BE RIGHT, CRICKET KINGS, THE MAKING OF MODERN AUSTRALIA, WORSE THINGS HAPPEN AT SEA

Reviews

'a perfect balance between humour, humility, seriousness and light, laughter and tears' [Sunday Telegraph] 'This will make you laugh till you cry' [The Age] 'McInnes applies a deft touch to a swag of recollections, shaping a yarn that should be listed with the national treasures' [The Courier-Mail]