What do you think?
Rate this book
Holidays
From bestselling author William McInnes, a book about the languid, unending holidays of summer; it's about going away and staying at home, about sunburn, seagulls, family and friends.
Remember those long, languid holidays when the only decisions to be made were what to pack in the Esky and who should get the front seat on the drive to the beach?
Let William McInnes reignite your nostalgia for holidays past, and give you a taste of the boundless opportunities that await in holidays to come in this book about our love affair with life away from the everyday.
This book will take you back to the holidays you had as a kid and remind you of the ones you've had with your own family or friends or even the ones where you've flown solo.
Holidays are the runway to possibilities - a romantic sunset, the spare seat at breakfast being taken by an attractive stranger, a miraculous airline upgrade - or missing bags, unfortunate rashes and wrong turns that lead to places you definitely did not intend to go. Whether you are away from home and somewhere exotic or just in your own backyard on a lilo in an above-ground pool, whatever happens, you know that life is sweet because you're on HOLIDAYS.
Whatever kind of holiday you've got planned, make sure you pack this warm and funny celebration of Australia's favourite national pastime. PRAISE for William McInnes's previous books:
'skilfully constructed...insightful, understated and very funny' Sydney Morning Herald on "The Laughing Clowns"
'The Making of Modern Australia is a ripper' The Canberra Times
'William McInnes compels with the sheer delightfulness of his memoir, and with his fine ability to spin a damn funny yarn' Sunday Telegraph on "A Man's Got To Have a Hobby"
'funny and clever' Daily Telegraph on "That'd Be Right"
'A big-hearted novel with character' Sunday Telegraph on "Cricket Kings"
Remember those long, languid holidays when the only decisions to be made were what to pack in the Esky and who should get the front seat on the drive to the beach?
Let William McInnes reignite your nostalgia for holidays past, and give you a taste of the boundless opportunities that await in holidays to come in this book about our love affair with life away from the everyday.
This book will take you back to the holidays you had as a kid and remind you of the ones you've had with your own family or friends or even the ones where you've flown solo.
Holidays are the runway to possibilities - a romantic sunset, the spare seat at breakfast being taken by an attractive stranger, a miraculous airline upgrade - or missing bags, unfortunate rashes and wrong turns that lead to places you definitely did not intend to go. Whether you are away from home and somewhere exotic or just in your own backyard on a lilo in an above-ground pool, whatever happens, you know that life is sweet because you're on HOLIDAYS.
Whatever kind of holiday you've got planned, make sure you pack this warm and funny celebration of Australia's favourite national pastime. PRAISE for William McInnes's previous books:
'skilfully constructed...insightful, understated and very funny' Sydney Morning Herald on "The Laughing Clowns"
'The Making of Modern Australia is a ripper' The Canberra Times
'William McInnes compels with the sheer delightfulness of his memoir, and with his fine ability to spin a damn funny yarn' Sunday Telegraph on "A Man's Got To Have a Hobby"
'funny and clever' Daily Telegraph on "That'd Be Right"
'A big-hearted novel with character' Sunday Telegraph on "Cricket Kings"
Unknown Binding
First published November 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
William McInnes
32 books76 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 7, 2018
With summer now here in Australia, and being in a reflective mood lately, I decided to give Holidays by William McInnes a go. Something about it brought me straight back to happy childhood memories.
Holidays is about exactly that - holidays and Australia's immense love for them and their integral place in our cultural identity. The book kicks-off with McInnes describing his first holiday memory - and it became instantly apparent that he writes in a relaxing, comforting, warm way. The humour is very Aussie too and makes the book quite a joy to read - imagine if Bill Bryson was an Aussie!
His chapter featuring school holiday activities was hilarious, while also taking me straight back to my own school holiday activities.
"If the boy who talked to a rock was doing the same things as me on holiday, where did that leave me?"
It's been a long time since I've read a book that caused me to stop after each individual sentence as my laughter spiralled further and further out of control!
Other phenomenally hilarious holiday 'memories' featured included "the pope budgies", "Cheryl the blind chicken", "Kaye's ladies toilet tour", "Willis's what will be will be tours" and the disaster holiday were everyone succumbed to “a bloody awful wog with more runs than Bradman”. Australian.
I was happy when my city of Hobart got a mention too, with McInnes describing it as the prettiest capital city in Australia! ANZAC Day and Easter were also mentioned; with the meanings of certain holidays being a time for reflection. You name it, every different type and style of holiday possible was included in this book!
How many of us love discussing what we've been up to on holidays? Alison and her dog travels were a great read and filled me with wanderlust. I'm not surprised she thanks people who ask her about them, because it enables her to enjoy re-living it all again!
Towards the end, it became increasingly unexpectedly touching and poignant. Such as when mentioning his brother-in-law's funeral slide show, and how so many of the pictures were happy ones from holidays - as if a life could have its happiness measured in holidays. I also wanted to give the author a hug when reflecting on the final holiday memories shared with his wife before she passed away. The random act of kindness from a stranger and those whales!
"My mother always said the best thing you could do on a holiday was to get yourself a cracking book and have a good read." - Well, thanks to you I did exactly just that William McInnes. Happy Holidays!
Holidays is about exactly that - holidays and Australia's immense love for them and their integral place in our cultural identity. The book kicks-off with McInnes describing his first holiday memory - and it became instantly apparent that he writes in a relaxing, comforting, warm way. The humour is very Aussie too and makes the book quite a joy to read - imagine if Bill Bryson was an Aussie!
His chapter featuring school holiday activities was hilarious, while also taking me straight back to my own school holiday activities.
"If the boy who talked to a rock was doing the same things as me on holiday, where did that leave me?"
It's been a long time since I've read a book that caused me to stop after each individual sentence as my laughter spiralled further and further out of control!
Other phenomenally hilarious holiday 'memories' featured included "the pope budgies", "Cheryl the blind chicken", "Kaye's ladies toilet tour", "Willis's what will be will be tours" and the disaster holiday were everyone succumbed to “a bloody awful wog with more runs than Bradman”. Australian.
I was happy when my city of Hobart got a mention too, with McInnes describing it as the prettiest capital city in Australia! ANZAC Day and Easter were also mentioned; with the meanings of certain holidays being a time for reflection. You name it, every different type and style of holiday possible was included in this book!
How many of us love discussing what we've been up to on holidays? Alison and her dog travels were a great read and filled me with wanderlust. I'm not surprised she thanks people who ask her about them, because it enables her to enjoy re-living it all again!
Towards the end, it became increasingly unexpectedly touching and poignant. Such as when mentioning his brother-in-law's funeral slide show, and how so many of the pictures were happy ones from holidays - as if a life could have its happiness measured in holidays. I also wanted to give the author a hug when reflecting on the final holiday memories shared with his wife before she passed away. The random act of kindness from a stranger and those whales!
"My mother always said the best thing you could do on a holiday was to get yourself a cracking book and have a good read." - Well, thanks to you I did exactly just that William McInnes. Happy Holidays!
November 20, 2014
My View: William McInnes – a real Aussie larrikin.
At the beginning of this book I laughed so much the tears ran down my cheeks, at the end I cried silent sad tears. A remarkable book of memories and more.
William McInnes writes a beautiful creative memoir; he paints colourful images of the innocence of childhood, life in a small town, growing up, family holidays, and then about the holidays he created with his own family and the last holiday he had with his wife before she died.
I especially like hearing the tales written in his childhood voice – his first recollection of a holiday with his mum and siblings that involved the wonder of train travel (some hilarious laugh out loud anecdotes around train toilets…) and memories of school holidays and then the outrageous recounting of “school holiday activities” (I know you will either have your own memories of these type of activities or you would have enrolled your own children in the like), “All across Australia there were schemes, plans, events – activities – that were designed to entertain holidaying children and get them out of their parent’s hair for a few hours a day…Basket weaving, pottery, painting, orienteering, craft design, woodwork and holiday swim camps. Almost any activity that could be thought of to eat up holiday time got a run in the suburbs of Australia.” (p.51) I loved the story of the “Day long body building and health ‘tutorial’.” This particular story is pure childhood, fun and full of fart jokes - a kid’s paradise. This started me laughing once again so much so I had to explain the reason to my husband; I laughed so much explaining the joke I cried.
Hidden amongst these hilarious anecdotes are gems of wisdom and astute observations. At one time McInnes is working away from home staying in a hotel, alone in his room he starts to feel lonely then has a revelation: “I realise I am no that lonely. I lie here and think of how much I like my friends. How much I love my family, the one I grew up with and the one I have…Sometimes the best place to realise what you've got is the loneliest place.” p.216) This book is filled with such gems.
McInnes concludes this charming, fascinating account of holidays and what they mean with these words; “It’s when the memories of a place, and the people who passed the time with you there, all come colliding with the present that the acute feeling of simply being human can be so great. (p. 279)…and “How, if we are lucky and are loved enough, we might become cherished holiday memories, for holidays may be the realest, most sweetest part of life.”(p. 286)
Read “Holidays”, laugh, cry, remember…plan your next holiday now.
At the beginning of this book I laughed so much the tears ran down my cheeks, at the end I cried silent sad tears. A remarkable book of memories and more.
William McInnes writes a beautiful creative memoir; he paints colourful images of the innocence of childhood, life in a small town, growing up, family holidays, and then about the holidays he created with his own family and the last holiday he had with his wife before she died.
I especially like hearing the tales written in his childhood voice – his first recollection of a holiday with his mum and siblings that involved the wonder of train travel (some hilarious laugh out loud anecdotes around train toilets…) and memories of school holidays and then the outrageous recounting of “school holiday activities” (I know you will either have your own memories of these type of activities or you would have enrolled your own children in the like), “All across Australia there were schemes, plans, events – activities – that were designed to entertain holidaying children and get them out of their parent’s hair for a few hours a day…Basket weaving, pottery, painting, orienteering, craft design, woodwork and holiday swim camps. Almost any activity that could be thought of to eat up holiday time got a run in the suburbs of Australia.” (p.51) I loved the story of the “Day long body building and health ‘tutorial’.” This particular story is pure childhood, fun and full of fart jokes - a kid’s paradise. This started me laughing once again so much so I had to explain the reason to my husband; I laughed so much explaining the joke I cried.
Hidden amongst these hilarious anecdotes are gems of wisdom and astute observations. At one time McInnes is working away from home staying in a hotel, alone in his room he starts to feel lonely then has a revelation: “I realise I am no that lonely. I lie here and think of how much I like my friends. How much I love my family, the one I grew up with and the one I have…Sometimes the best place to realise what you've got is the loneliest place.” p.216) This book is filled with such gems.
McInnes concludes this charming, fascinating account of holidays and what they mean with these words; “It’s when the memories of a place, and the people who passed the time with you there, all come colliding with the present that the acute feeling of simply being human can be so great. (p. 279)…and “How, if we are lucky and are loved enough, we might become cherished holiday memories, for holidays may be the realest, most sweetest part of life.”(p. 286)
Read “Holidays”, laugh, cry, remember…plan your next holiday now.
August 8, 2025
Holidays by William McInnes was a fun one to have along for the ride— literally, I listened to the audiobook while travelling, and it fitted the mood perfectly: : easygoing, chatty, and full of that very Australian way of telling a story that makes you nod along and go, “Yep, I know exactly what he means.”
McInnes has a knack for being both nostalgic and funny, often in the same breath. His writing doesn’t take itself too seriously, which I appreciated. Some bits had me genuinely laughing, and others made me think back on my own holidays with a kind of warm fuzziness.
That said, not every part landed for me. There were moments that drifted or felt a bit same-same. But just when I was ready to zone out, the ending came in strong and brought it all together in a way that really worked.
Would I call it life-changing? Nah. But would I recommend it to someone looking for an amusing, heartfelt Aussie read to dip into on the road? Absolutely.
McInnes has a knack for being both nostalgic and funny, often in the same breath. His writing doesn’t take itself too seriously, which I appreciated. Some bits had me genuinely laughing, and others made me think back on my own holidays with a kind of warm fuzziness.
That said, not every part landed for me. There were moments that drifted or felt a bit same-same. But just when I was ready to zone out, the ending came in strong and brought it all together in a way that really worked.
Would I call it life-changing? Nah. But would I recommend it to someone looking for an amusing, heartfelt Aussie read to dip into on the road? Absolutely.
November 28, 2017
A really enjoyable tale about what holidays mean to McInnes. The stories move from his childhood memories, to friends holidays, to those with his family. The stories are linked by a word or theme and move between different events in McInnes life. The stories feel like you are sitting having a yarn with an old friend. A lovely snapshot of Australia, its scenery and characters.
February 13, 2021
I waited to get the audiobook from the library as I knew William McInnes was the narrator. What a storyteller. He can weave ordinary everyday occurrences into such descriptive, often hilarious stories. His love of family is almost palpable.
October 14, 2015
Who you gunna turn to if you need a good belly-laugh from a book??? Well, Mr McInnes is as capable as anyone writing in Oz today to entice great guffaws from me and his latest did not let me down.
It is an art-form, is writing comedic prose. It's been a while since I've emitted even chuckles from my book-reading. Probably the last to induce such-like was Nick Earls' glorious publication from last year, 'Analogue Man'. Earls writes fiction. So does McInnes - and he does okay at that too, but it's his volumes of memoirs that really do the trick for me. 'A Man's Got to Have a Hobby' was such a complete joy. I laughed so much it bought tears to the eyes. Tears featured as well with 'Worst Things Happen at Sea' - but for a very different reason. It was co-written with his now deceased wife, Sarah Watt - and for the delight in question the author delves into his past again. Tears came for both happy and sad reasons in 'Holidays'.
In this recalling of the past he again displays what a memory he has - I wonder if he kept a diary. For the life of me I can only remember childhood incidents in broad stokes. He brings them to us in fine detail. Most of the gut-clenching humour came in the first half - it tendered to peter out as he started to become a tad more deep and meaningful - but this is not to say the final chapters were lesser for that. They just spoke more of the human condition. And the ending - the final stanza, was, well, just heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
The man can write and it helps that you can picture him in the scenarios he weaved as the central figure. He's graced our screens for a few decades now, first coming to my attention in the never-to- be-forgotten marvel that was 'SeaChange'.
The book opens on Brisbane's Redcliffe Peninsula, setting of William's childhood and his scallywag adventures. His yarn about the Kosy Korner Karavan Park was priceless, a rib-tickler of the first order. For our young hero the Peter Stuyvesant fag ads on tele in those days were the height of sophistication. The only place he could imagine in his world as a possible location for such-like to be made in Brissy would be said Kosy Korner. It would surely be where the international jet-setters would go to smoke and drink martinis, served to them by the pool by stunningly sexy women in bikinis. Or so he thought till he actually braved the grounds of the place.
Another adventure of his youth - this time of an amorous nature, when he was obviously much older, involved being naked and draped in beauty contest sashes. His love interest led him to meet a certain Mr Tait, the travel agent who never travelled. Why would he? He had visited the opening of Wrest Point Casino down in Hobart and saw Jerry Lewis perform. No holiday could surely top that so why waste money. His life ambition now was to sell some punter a Scandinavian vacation. I wonder, as does McInnes, whether he actually succeeded.
It seems the television star has a soft spot for Hobs. 'Hobart is a beautiful city, perhaps the prettiest of Australian capitals, with marvellous restaurants and glorious landscapes.' Of course these days the jewel in the crown of the city's gems is MONA. One day, at a loose end in our burb, he sought advice at reception. 'The bloke behind the desk brushed one side of his porn-star moustache with his forefinger and then said, 'Go to the museum mate. The museum's a good place.' And so it turned out, although he was bemused at the number of kiddies that were on the loose in a place supposedly just for grown-ups. He reported the place was, in his estimation, most impressive. 'The eclectic scale and verve of the collection is stupefying, moving and glorious.'
Being such a public figure, our author on vacation is recognised by many - but sometimes the punters get it confused. At various times they thought they had been greeting him as bonkers former Labor leader Mark Latham, sex-god Colin Firth, 'Wait There's More' Demtel Man (Tim Shaw) and even, not Jeff Kennett, but his brother!!! The one that was much to his horror was being mistaken for execrable Sam Newman of 'Footy Show' infamy.
So many glorious stories William McI tells in this tome. There's the bush pilot, on being informed that stormy weather lay ahead in the flight, offered to play Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper for the already nervous author. Then there is the perennial problem of what to give up for Lent. One year he decided it should be his propensity for swearing. To get around the difficulties that involved he decided to insert a more suitable word instead. For some reason he hit on yallop - the surname of a former test cricket captain - but of course he spun this yarn out too to make it hilarious.
It's a bonza book this. McInnes gets my recommendation for a guernsey in our National Living Treasures list and I'll be yalloped if you'll find a funnier read this year. It's full of all that's wonderful about our great, taking the yallop, national sense of humour.
It is an art-form, is writing comedic prose. It's been a while since I've emitted even chuckles from my book-reading. Probably the last to induce such-like was Nick Earls' glorious publication from last year, 'Analogue Man'. Earls writes fiction. So does McInnes - and he does okay at that too, but it's his volumes of memoirs that really do the trick for me. 'A Man's Got to Have a Hobby' was such a complete joy. I laughed so much it bought tears to the eyes. Tears featured as well with 'Worst Things Happen at Sea' - but for a very different reason. It was co-written with his now deceased wife, Sarah Watt - and for the delight in question the author delves into his past again. Tears came for both happy and sad reasons in 'Holidays'.
In this recalling of the past he again displays what a memory he has - I wonder if he kept a diary. For the life of me I can only remember childhood incidents in broad stokes. He brings them to us in fine detail. Most of the gut-clenching humour came in the first half - it tendered to peter out as he started to become a tad more deep and meaningful - but this is not to say the final chapters were lesser for that. They just spoke more of the human condition. And the ending - the final stanza, was, well, just heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
The man can write and it helps that you can picture him in the scenarios he weaved as the central figure. He's graced our screens for a few decades now, first coming to my attention in the never-to- be-forgotten marvel that was 'SeaChange'.
The book opens on Brisbane's Redcliffe Peninsula, setting of William's childhood and his scallywag adventures. His yarn about the Kosy Korner Karavan Park was priceless, a rib-tickler of the first order. For our young hero the Peter Stuyvesant fag ads on tele in those days were the height of sophistication. The only place he could imagine in his world as a possible location for such-like to be made in Brissy would be said Kosy Korner. It would surely be where the international jet-setters would go to smoke and drink martinis, served to them by the pool by stunningly sexy women in bikinis. Or so he thought till he actually braved the grounds of the place.
Another adventure of his youth - this time of an amorous nature, when he was obviously much older, involved being naked and draped in beauty contest sashes. His love interest led him to meet a certain Mr Tait, the travel agent who never travelled. Why would he? He had visited the opening of Wrest Point Casino down in Hobart and saw Jerry Lewis perform. No holiday could surely top that so why waste money. His life ambition now was to sell some punter a Scandinavian vacation. I wonder, as does McInnes, whether he actually succeeded.
It seems the television star has a soft spot for Hobs. 'Hobart is a beautiful city, perhaps the prettiest of Australian capitals, with marvellous restaurants and glorious landscapes.' Of course these days the jewel in the crown of the city's gems is MONA. One day, at a loose end in our burb, he sought advice at reception. 'The bloke behind the desk brushed one side of his porn-star moustache with his forefinger and then said, 'Go to the museum mate. The museum's a good place.' And so it turned out, although he was bemused at the number of kiddies that were on the loose in a place supposedly just for grown-ups. He reported the place was, in his estimation, most impressive. 'The eclectic scale and verve of the collection is stupefying, moving and glorious.'
Being such a public figure, our author on vacation is recognised by many - but sometimes the punters get it confused. At various times they thought they had been greeting him as bonkers former Labor leader Mark Latham, sex-god Colin Firth, 'Wait There's More' Demtel Man (Tim Shaw) and even, not Jeff Kennett, but his brother!!! The one that was much to his horror was being mistaken for execrable Sam Newman of 'Footy Show' infamy.
So many glorious stories William McI tells in this tome. There's the bush pilot, on being informed that stormy weather lay ahead in the flight, offered to play Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper for the already nervous author. Then there is the perennial problem of what to give up for Lent. One year he decided it should be his propensity for swearing. To get around the difficulties that involved he decided to insert a more suitable word instead. For some reason he hit on yallop - the surname of a former test cricket captain - but of course he spun this yarn out too to make it hilarious.
It's a bonza book this. McInnes gets my recommendation for a guernsey in our National Living Treasures list and I'll be yalloped if you'll find a funnier read this year. It's full of all that's wonderful about our great, taking the yallop, national sense of humour.
October 28, 2022
A light, easy read - perfect for holidays! Laugh out loud funny at times, and poignant at others. I can hear William McInnes' lovely voice in the pages
February 7, 2017
Inspired by hearing him on the radio over summer, I thought this would be a great read in that gulf between Christmas and New Year (it just took me a little longer to read.)
McInnes is just a loveable dag and his chapters wander across all manner of topics and stories - in this instance all centering around the great Australian holiday - which can mean going away, staying in, minding people's pets, writing the dreaded "What I did in my school holidays" essay, and other stories pretty much anyone can relate to.
I especially liked that towards the end of the book McInnes mentioned his late wife, and he's able to admit to a youth of boofhead choices and being a daggy dad.
I think the next McInnes I read I'll try to catch as an audiobook because while his voice certainly comes through his writing, it's nothing like listening to his strange rambling thoughts out loud.
McInnes is just a loveable dag and his chapters wander across all manner of topics and stories - in this instance all centering around the great Australian holiday - which can mean going away, staying in, minding people's pets, writing the dreaded "What I did in my school holidays" essay, and other stories pretty much anyone can relate to.
I especially liked that towards the end of the book McInnes mentioned his late wife, and he's able to admit to a youth of boofhead choices and being a daggy dad.
I think the next McInnes I read I'll try to catch as an audiobook because while his voice certainly comes through his writing, it's nothing like listening to his strange rambling thoughts out loud.
December 1, 2014
Another adorable, sentimental, nostalgic meander with Mr McInnes. I laughed out loud in public. I wiped the occasional tear. I wandered down memory lane. And I was thoroughly entertained yet again.
December 12, 2019
What a snorter. I chortled, cackled and guffawed my way through this whole book. I would really love to meet the author’s gruff, sonorous, macho-softie father. He sounds like something straight from the cover of a 1970 edition of League Week magazine. For Christ sake, do yourself a favour and check it out.
June 3, 2020
The ability to spin a yarn and make you chuckle and at times bring a tear. To talk about a golden time we’re life was fun and collecting paddle pop sticks and going on family holidays was a lark ! Such an enjoyable read, written so well you would think he was talking to you. Ooh and I never knew Elle did KFC !!
June 8, 2024
McInnes reminisces about holidaying mishaps from his childhood and adult life (and those of people he has known). With the growing wisdom of experience, he draws wider, often subtle, gentle and empathic conclusions about Australian culture, family and what makes us happy.
March 29, 2019
Some funny stories bit overall not very exciting and Audio Book monotone
July 29, 2019
McInnes writes like he speaks, which adds a lyricism to his stories. Some bits were a little slow. I laughed out loud several times, almost cried near the end. Enjoyable and relateable.
October 6, 2019
Occasionally funny reminiscences of his holidays.
March 6, 2020
Refreshing, honest and very relatable!
April 9, 2021
It was OK. Interesting observations on holidays of all descriptions. A very interesting, easy read but missing that 'things that make you go hmmn' vibe.
July 18, 2024
Delightful collection of memories.
January 17, 2016
How can you not love this man?
My whole Bookclub has a crush - discovered this over the years - half of their kids are named after him or characters he has played, or members of his family!
William McInnes has an extraordinary memory for the ordinary. His writing is warm and endearing. His tales, in this novel, span the decades..... But resonate strongly with an age when you could call your son 'boof head' and not scar him for life..... Because everyone seems to know how much they are loved in this family and it is a beautiful thing.
My immediate favourites, as I was reading are..... 'Trevor Tait's Travel'..... and flying in a small plane- in a storm -scared to death - texting his children. I won't spoil them for you, but I am sure snippets of those and other McInnes holiday tales will warm my own holiday memories in the future.
My whole Bookclub has a crush - discovered this over the years - half of their kids are named after him or characters he has played, or members of his family!
William McInnes has an extraordinary memory for the ordinary. His writing is warm and endearing. His tales, in this novel, span the decades..... But resonate strongly with an age when you could call your son 'boof head' and not scar him for life..... Because everyone seems to know how much they are loved in this family and it is a beautiful thing.
My immediate favourites, as I was reading are..... 'Trevor Tait's Travel'..... and flying in a small plane- in a storm -scared to death - texting his children. I won't spoil them for you, but I am sure snippets of those and other McInnes holiday tales will warm my own holiday memories in the future.
January 1, 2016
Another book I would never have picked up. I'm not really familiar with William's TV work and only crossed paths with him because he spoke at Salisbury Writers' Festival. I was able to get a signed copy and have a short chat with him, he's a most engaging man with a wealth of stories all at the tips of his fingers. He could've spoken for two hours and done it quite happily. But on to the book. It's good to get a book every once in while that makes you laugh out loud. Holidays is packed with peculiar and quirky characters and William plays on those unusual quirks like a virtuoso. But he also has the ability to write quite poignant scenes as well, rounding the book out and making it a very satisfying read.
February 7, 2015
I reserved this book from the library before the holidays thinking that it would be a good choice to read over Christmas. It seems that everybody else did too because it didn't become available until a few days ago. Nevermind it was definitely worth the wait.
Being of a similiar age I could identify with things from his childhood and the places he described was like going down memory lane.
I have spent many times during this book laughing so much that I cried. No one tells a story better than William McInnes.
Being of a similiar age I could identify with things from his childhood and the places he described was like going down memory lane.
I have spent many times during this book laughing so much that I cried. No one tells a story better than William McInnes.
January 21, 2015
I love the way this man writes! Memories of going on holidays as a kid, Baby Boomer Style. Experiencing things like toilets on passenger trains for the very first time, going to the original theme park of the day "Bullen's Lion Safari Park" and generally larking about on Holidays, as opposed to Real Life. Travelling alone, bad flights, above ground pools, friends, family and lots of eccentrics, it's all here, wonderful stuff!!
January 18, 2015
Quite funny in parts, but probably not as funny as I thought it would be. Enjoyable writing style.
I have heard him on the radio, and he can tell a story and make it very funny. This is what attracted me to the book, but it would have been funnier him telling the stories. Nevertheless I did enjoy it.
I have heard him on the radio, and he can tell a story and make it very funny. This is what attracted me to the book, but it would have been funnier him telling the stories. Nevertheless I did enjoy it.
July 23, 2015
McInnes brings to mind happy memories of a daggy childhood. I'm not sure if children are still allowed such daggy formative experiences. A good light read that ponders which is real: the holiday or the everyday?
December 31, 2014
William McInnes has a gift for describing the ordinary moments of life in a funny way.
Interspersed with great character insights.
Holidays is the loosely based theme for the book.
Which verges all over the place.
This is a light read just perfect for Holidays!
Interspersed with great character insights.
Holidays is the loosely based theme for the book.
Which verges all over the place.
This is a light read just perfect for Holidays!
July 4, 2017
Listened to 10th Sep 2016 and again 4th July 2017. An amusing Aussie's account of holidays growing up in Australia mainly. William McInnes is a funny and candid author. Enjoyed immensely for the second 'reading'.
January 16, 2015
Laughter out loud hilarious book
December 21, 2014
Very Australian! Love the author's dry sense of humour.
September 9, 2015
Quite an entertaining read, I can visualise a lot of what William McInnes writes. A good Aussie Tale.
January 5, 2015
A great quick summer holiday read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews