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It's a Scorcher!: Tales of the Australian Summer
Bestselling author and acclaimed actor William McInnes returns with a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about those magical, roastingly hot months that make an Australian summer.
There is something about long, hot summer days that stirs our emotions. It's all about holidays, festivals, family and Christmas; a time for swimming, a hit of backyard cricket or firing up the barbie. It's the deafening sound of cicadas, the ticking of a backyard sprinkler, the pain of a wayward bindi or the sting of sunburnt shoulders.
In this collection of nostalgic stories that will make you laugh and make you cry, William McInnes recalls moments in time and memories of summers past. He takes us back to the energy-sapping heat of Redcliffe in the 1960s and 70s, ruminates on budgie smugglers, remembers holiday road trips that went on forever and epic Boxing Day Tests that stopped fans in their tracks. This is a book about the Australia we are and the Australia we were - and the magic of those boiling-hot days when you wake up and know . . . it's going to be a scorcher!
There is something about long, hot summer days that stirs our emotions. It's all about holidays, festivals, family and Christmas; a time for swimming, a hit of backyard cricket or firing up the barbie. It's the deafening sound of cicadas, the ticking of a backyard sprinkler, the pain of a wayward bindi or the sting of sunburnt shoulders.
In this collection of nostalgic stories that will make you laugh and make you cry, William McInnes recalls moments in time and memories of summers past. He takes us back to the energy-sapping heat of Redcliffe in the 1960s and 70s, ruminates on budgie smugglers, remembers holiday road trips that went on forever and epic Boxing Day Tests that stopped fans in their tracks. This is a book about the Australia we are and the Australia we were - and the magic of those boiling-hot days when you wake up and know . . . it's going to be a scorcher!
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2025
25 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
William McInnes
32 books73 followersDarryl William McInnes (born 10 September 1963) is one of Australia’s most popular stage and screen actors.
His leading roles in Sea Change and Blue Heelers have made him a household name. The mini-series Shark Net and My Brother Jack earned him widespread critical acclaim. He has been nominated for numerous stage and screen awards, and has won a Variety Club Drama Award in 1997 and two Logie awards for Most Outstanding Actor in 2000 and 2004.
William grew up in Queensland and has travelled extensively throughout Australia. He now lives in Melbourne with his two children. He was married to the late film maker Sarah Watt.
His leading roles in Sea Change and Blue Heelers have made him a household name. The mini-series Shark Net and My Brother Jack earned him widespread critical acclaim. He has been nominated for numerous stage and screen awards, and has won a Variety Club Drama Award in 1997 and two Logie awards for Most Outstanding Actor in 2000 and 2004.
William grew up in Queensland and has travelled extensively throughout Australia. He now lives in Melbourne with his two children. He was married to the late film maker Sarah Watt.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 8, 2026
I received this book in an exchange at a cross stitch retreat and with temperatures in their 40’s it couldn’t have been a better fit to read.
I have always liked the author William McInnes and having read this, I am asking myself why I haven’t read more of his books? This was a wonderful reflection of past and recent summers. Being a similar age to the author there were things I could remember from my childhood (oh how my late dad loved the Nana Mouskouri Show! ) I also found myself laughing out loud at comments, turns of phrase etc.. It’s a beautifully human reflection on childhood, adolescence, adulthood and features of growing up in Australia. Cricket, thongs, tins of biscuits, picnics, home dressmaking, the beach, cicadas, Parkes Elvis Festival - it’s all there and more!
Very, very enjoyable book.
I have always liked the author William McInnes and having read this, I am asking myself why I haven’t read more of his books? This was a wonderful reflection of past and recent summers. Being a similar age to the author there were things I could remember from my childhood (oh how my late dad loved the Nana Mouskouri Show! ) I also found myself laughing out loud at comments, turns of phrase etc.. It’s a beautifully human reflection on childhood, adolescence, adulthood and features of growing up in Australia. Cricket, thongs, tins of biscuits, picnics, home dressmaking, the beach, cicadas, Parkes Elvis Festival - it’s all there and more!
Very, very enjoyable book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review