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Kevin Kling's Holiday Inn
Kevin Kling's first book, The Dog Says How, brought readers into his wonderful world of the skewed and significant mundane. Kling does it again in Kevin Kling's Holiday Inn, a romp through a yearful of holidays and a lifetime of gathering material.
A wiener dog with an amazing capacity for destruction impresses the whole family and contributes to their collection of favorite disastrous Christmas stories. A Choctaw and a nun go trick-or-treating on Halloween. A boy makes a frightening decision every year when he chooses which classmate gets the "Be Mine" Valentine. Kevin takes his mom to a Fourth of July demolition derby–and then he takes an epic trip around the bases at a ball game on Memorial Day.
From tomfoolery with his brother in the backseat of their dad's car through his carefully considered instructions for ice fishing, Kling never loses the spirit of his story or holds back on its humor.
A wiener dog with an amazing capacity for destruction impresses the whole family and contributes to their collection of favorite disastrous Christmas stories. A Choctaw and a nun go trick-or-treating on Halloween. A boy makes a frightening decision every year when he chooses which classmate gets the "Be Mine" Valentine. Kevin takes his mom to a Fourth of July demolition derby–and then he takes an epic trip around the bases at a ball game on Memorial Day.
From tomfoolery with his brother in the backseat of their dad's car through his carefully considered instructions for ice fishing, Kling never loses the spirit of his story or holds back on its humor.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Kling
34 books27 followersKevin Kling is a well-known playwright and storyteller, and his commentaries can be heard on NPR’s All Things Considered. His plays and adaptations have been performed around the world. He lives in Minneapolis.
From the author's website.
From the author's website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 29, 2009
I saw Kevin Kling perform at the University of Minnesota Duluth less than a year ago. It was a spare set up, with just the storyteller with a microphone and an adorable accordion player accompanist who punctuated Kling's stories on the squeeze box, all whimsy and raised eyebrows. Kling, a native Minnesotan, tells his tales with the breathlessness of a neighbor kid who can barely get his "and thens" out fast enough. Sometimes his stories are funny, sometimes they are hilarious, sometimes they are thinkers.
I spent the entire night with a goofy grin on my face.
A few of the yarns he spun that night are featured in his latest book Holiday Inn, a collection of round-the-calendar seasonal stories. Kling talks traditional holidays like Christmas, Mother's Day, and the Fourth of July, but he also tacks on regional holidays like Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, ice fishing season, and the Minnesota State Fair. And then there is just some stuff for fun, like how he learned hobo law riding the rails to Seattle with a buddy to settle a bet about whether inland seafood could compare to crustaceans on the coast.
This book by the storyteller, National Public Radio commentator, playwright and poet is a real charmer. Kling writes about the mundane and easy-to-relate-to stories like breath-holding competitions against his brother in church, or a dog that vacuums up an entire plate of oatmeal cookies in a single snort. His parent's aggressive approach to hiding Easter eggs, and a neighbor who gave out special Halloween pickles. Then Kling throws in the adventurous, like a train ride strapped to an open flatbed, through a tunnel in the mountains, or wandering around in Australia. And then there are the "I know a guy who" stories, Minnesota-specific urban legends, including one where a man is ice fishing and catches a license plate. He looks at it, realizes it is his license plate, runs out of the fish house and sees his truck has gone through the ice.
His stories are folksy in a good way, and Kling has obvious affection for the dozens of characters he includes -- especially his brother Steve. This clean collection of 21 stories doesn't dig super deep, but it is written the way the stories would be told. And above all else, Kling is a storyteller: There are parts of Holiday Inn where his voice is so clear that it is more like listening to him on a walkman than reading words on a page.
I spent the entire night with a goofy grin on my face.
A few of the yarns he spun that night are featured in his latest book Holiday Inn, a collection of round-the-calendar seasonal stories. Kling talks traditional holidays like Christmas, Mother's Day, and the Fourth of July, but he also tacks on regional holidays like Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, ice fishing season, and the Minnesota State Fair. And then there is just some stuff for fun, like how he learned hobo law riding the rails to Seattle with a buddy to settle a bet about whether inland seafood could compare to crustaceans on the coast.
This book by the storyteller, National Public Radio commentator, playwright and poet is a real charmer. Kling writes about the mundane and easy-to-relate-to stories like breath-holding competitions against his brother in church, or a dog that vacuums up an entire plate of oatmeal cookies in a single snort. His parent's aggressive approach to hiding Easter eggs, and a neighbor who gave out special Halloween pickles. Then Kling throws in the adventurous, like a train ride strapped to an open flatbed, through a tunnel in the mountains, or wandering around in Australia. And then there are the "I know a guy who" stories, Minnesota-specific urban legends, including one where a man is ice fishing and catches a license plate. He looks at it, realizes it is his license plate, runs out of the fish house and sees his truck has gone through the ice.
His stories are folksy in a good way, and Kling has obvious affection for the dozens of characters he includes -- especially his brother Steve. This clean collection of 21 stories doesn't dig super deep, but it is written the way the stories would be told. And above all else, Kling is a storyteller: There are parts of Holiday Inn where his voice is so clear that it is more like listening to him on a walkman than reading words on a page.
April 30, 2012
Holiday Inn is a delightful collection of stories by Minneapolis author Kevin Kling. Each chapter represents a holiday, presented chronologically through the year, with a story firmly or loosely associated with that holiday. They range from laugh-out-loud hilarious (e.g. running a marathon) to sentimental and touching (e.g. Valentine's Day). He comments on potentially sensitive topics (civil rights movement, war veterans) gently, with maturity and respect.
The writing is beautifully poetic prose, with effortless-appearing imagery and metaphor. His composition style is something like a mix of David Sedaris and Garrison Keillor. It is meandering, episodic, and clever, yet homey, midwestern, unhurried, and wholesome. In this way it is akin to Jean Shepherd (In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories: And Other Disasters, source for the movie "A Christmas Story"). Also like Jean Shepherd, the stories come across as embellished personal memories. (In a gem of an essay, Kling talks about storytelling itself and includes comments like: "I was blessed with a life spent with laughers and fabricators," and: "A story doesn't have to be factual to be true"). Kling is occasionally erudite, but while conveying insights gained from classics, philosophy, and literature, he is always accessible and relevant.
I believe any reader will relate to and enjoy nearly all the stories. Some vignettes are likely to have a special appeal to Minnesotans and small-town midwesterners. I enjoyed Holiday Inn and believe you will, too.
The writing is beautifully poetic prose, with effortless-appearing imagery and metaphor. His composition style is something like a mix of David Sedaris and Garrison Keillor. It is meandering, episodic, and clever, yet homey, midwestern, unhurried, and wholesome. In this way it is akin to Jean Shepherd (In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories: And Other Disasters, source for the movie "A Christmas Story"). Also like Jean Shepherd, the stories come across as embellished personal memories. (In a gem of an essay, Kling talks about storytelling itself and includes comments like: "I was blessed with a life spent with laughers and fabricators," and: "A story doesn't have to be factual to be true"). Kling is occasionally erudite, but while conveying insights gained from classics, philosophy, and literature, he is always accessible and relevant.
I believe any reader will relate to and enjoy nearly all the stories. Some vignettes are likely to have a special appeal to Minnesotans and small-town midwesterners. I enjoyed Holiday Inn and believe you will, too.
May 28, 2022
Some stories were really good but several not so good.
November 29, 2019
When thinking of what I'm grateful for, as is a requisite activity at Thanksgiving, I began with the usual family, friends, etc., but I also mentally added two distinct pleasures from this week--the Linda Ronstadt movie and Kevin Kling's Holiday Inn. Who but Kevin Kling could write such an amusing story about, among other things, his stay as a very young child at the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children?
There is so much humor in Kling's writing that you could almost miss the heart in it.
There is so much humor in Kling's writing that you could almost miss the heart in it.
February 12, 2013
I have listened to Kevin Kling tell his hilarious stories at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. He is this very unassuming looking little guy who can just makes you roar with laughter. He was one of my favorites that year. The beginning of "Holiday Inn" is just as I remember Kevin's stories--good and funny family stories with of course the crazy stuff that goes on. Later, he tells going to a hospital for children to repair his little arm. This was typical Kevin Kling, both funny and poignant at the same time. This was not a modern hospital where nurses dress in those cartoony outfits and smile. This is a hospital as I remember as a five year old, with stern, no-nonsense and humorless nurses---mine was even worse as a nurse who was also a nun **shudder**. This was no Maria of the Sound of Music. Later, Kevin tells of his cross country journey to Seattle hopping on freight trains, no less. I did not like that story--I would tense every time they did this..The later stories were a bit more light-hearted but the best was definitely the beginning of the book! I was happy to see that he now has a long time girlfriend. He seems a genuinely nice guy who didn't have much luck with the girls as a youngster.I always like to root for the underdog because I am an underdog :)
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February 23, 2012This is a delightful book of wonderful, down-home, folksy tales of love, laughter and family. If you like Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion fame, then you will enjoy this book as well.
Kling is a commentator on NPR's "All Things Considered."
He writes so poignantly of Minnesota with a humor and love of the state and the people that you can almost feel the crystals forming on the lake and hear the sound of the fish as they are pulled up from the ice. You can smell the summer blueberry pie and taste the country ham while sitting at the table laughing with the crazy, loving and lovable relatives.
If you want to laugh out loud, this is a book to read!
Kling is a commentator on NPR's "All Things Considered."
He writes so poignantly of Minnesota with a humor and love of the state and the people that you can almost feel the crystals forming on the lake and hear the sound of the fish as they are pulled up from the ice. You can smell the summer blueberry pie and taste the country ham while sitting at the table laughing with the crazy, loving and lovable relatives.
If you want to laugh out loud, this is a book to read!
May 17, 2020
Kevin Kling's Holiday Inn is a wonderful read for anyone who is looking for funny stories to pass some time with, they are great quick reads. I personally love Kevin's stories and have been a big fan for a long time, but if you are new to his stories or you want to check his material out this is the book you should start with. For some of us who have seen him before you still might want to check this out as he has some new stories, you may haven't heard yet. If you are looking for an uplifting read especially during COVID-19 this is the book you should try and get a hold of as it helped me.
February 26, 2022
Received this as a gift. The author grew up in Minnesota and parts of the stories ring true to my childhood in northern Minnesota - especially the first stories in the book. Those stories were fine, but some of the stories just weren’t that interesting to me. Also, I’m taking a star off and am majorly side eyeing the multiple stories about a Choctaw halloween costume. (I get that the stories took place a while ago, but the book was written in 2009.) It was a really quick read. Overall, it was fine three-star book - it just wasn’t for me.
November 29, 2021
holiday Inn is a collection of stories based holidays throughout the year. They read like the oral stories Kling tells in his live performances, so they wander a bit, get off on tangents that don't always fit the overarching theme of the story. It's a quick read, although a little slow initially. My favorite story was about the Minnesota State Fair. No one has ever caught the flavor of the Great Get Together as well as Kling does in his sotry.
September 14, 2020
A lovely, funny and poignant collection of stories, each connected to a holiday on the calendar. If you're familiar with Kevin's work, many of them will be familiar. If not, prepare to laugh a lot, cry a little, and ponder the many changes the calendar brings.
December 12, 2023
This is my first Kevin Kling book (definitely not the last), and this guy makes Garrison Keillor look like he’s from Iowa. Davenport, not one of those Iowa cities just south of I90 that could be in Minnesota and have gnomes as town mascots.
December 13, 2017
A keen observer, like listening to a favorite uncle tell childhood stories. You're never quite sure which details to believe, but you don't really care. It's all good fun.
November 26, 2018
It isn’t his funniest book but still a wonderfully light book to read at the holidays.
January 9, 2020
Funny endearing short stories of Kevin Kling's life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and passed it on to a friend.
January 1, 2022
Warm snuggly funny Minnesotan holiday stories.
March 26, 2022
Very funny tales from the author’s life. Lots of local references. You don’t need to know Minnesota to read them, but if you do you’ll get an extra layer of enjoyment.
April 24, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable. As a lifelong midwesterner, many of the stories resonated with me. Worth a quick read.
June 12, 2023
Loved this book! The essays are the perfect length. I adore his humor. Must be due to our shared German/Scottish ancestry. Many of Kling's stories remind me of my own family.
December 3, 2023
I just love his humor and story telling. Since I grew up in a similar time frame and also in Minnesota, so much resonates with me and his comedic sense just hits me perfectly too.
February 3, 2024
As a Minnesotan, I've taken every opportunity to go to book readings or shows by Kevin Kling. He is a true GEM and his books fill me with joy and nostalgia.
October 5, 2013
A fun read with a side of insights into a life lived while throwing caution to the curb. And from life within hospital confines to life on the rails, Kevin is living! This book brought back memories for me. I was in the same college and class year as Kevin (our freshman year was not 1974 though), so the story about the goat, our school mascot, was especially revealing. Any Minnesotan worth their weight will relate to his story on the Minnesota State Fair experience. These recollections give good pause to the ever forward thrust of life, helping us to see our own lives as the adventures they are.
April 2, 2011
Wonderfully funny, nostalgic and true. Kevin is a wit and a charmer. Like the Last Comic Standing guy from MN (what was his name?) who did the bit on the "Christmas-paper-wrapping-paper-tube," Kevin's stories all ring true. And, well, the ones that might not, you wish they did. I particularly liked the bit about him traveling cross country to go to eat seafood in Seattle. Via freight car.
Each story is somehow related to a holiday, but not always in the way you might expect. There are some nice, beautiful surprises here. You'll laugh, you'll cry....
Each story is somehow related to a holiday, but not always in the way you might expect. There are some nice, beautiful surprises here. You'll laugh, you'll cry....
September 18, 2014
Kevin Kling was one of my favorite storytellers at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in 2011, which is why I first picked up this book and his other book The Dog Says How. Although his writing doesn't equal his incredibly funny and touching onstage performance, it comes pretty close. The books, however, allow me to savor his words and over and over again, so I can enjoy his insights on philosophy, history, personal faith, and how we treat each other as human beings. So many lessons gift wrapped with laughter.
December 12, 2012
Enjoyed this collection of stories by Minnesota local storyteller, playwright, humorist Kevin Kling. The stories have holiday themes, or loose connections to holidays throughout the year. As good as an excuse as any to put a collection together, I guess. Liked best the stories that had ring of truth. Many connections to my own childhood memories of being raised up north, although I'd guess he's got a good ten or 15 years on me.
When he veered into wishful territory, or tall tale territory, he kind of lost me, or at least lost my interest.
When he veered into wishful territory, or tall tale territory, he kind of lost me, or at least lost my interest.
April 23, 2014
I love to listen to Kevin Kling spin tales live. He makes me laugh until my sides split! This book reads just like he talks and is delightful in small bits.
This was the Plymouth Reads book for 2014. The citizens of the city are asked to read a book at the same time and then take part in a book discussion and other related workshops. It's a great promotion for reading and I was happy to take part again this year.
(0ne of the activities was to write a 6-word memoir. It's a fun exercise. Try one in the comments!)
This was the Plymouth Reads book for 2014. The citizens of the city are asked to read a book at the same time and then take part in a book discussion and other related workshops. It's a great promotion for reading and I was happy to take part again this year.
(0ne of the activities was to write a 6-word memoir. It's a fun exercise. Try one in the comments!)
May 11, 2010
kevin kling is a funny, funny man. he says funny things. he tells funny stories. what he writes reads funny. as funny as this book is to read, it's funnier to hear him tell these stories. i'm glad he wrote these down, but i'd prefer to see kevin in person. so, if you can't see kevin, read one of his books. but do everything you can to see him perform live.
September 27, 2010
Kevin Kling, is a Minnesota humor writer who is as funny as Dave Barry and who can weave a fantastic short story like Keillor. Who would have ever thought. Kling wrote these stories about his family holiday memories in this book. I loved it. Especially in one essay when he changed his name to Sandy just because he liked the way it sounded. I'm only sorry I didn't find Kling's books sooner. His books will now sit in my permanent library next to McMurtry, Keillor, Black, Barry and Block.
December 19, 2021
2021: There’s something about Mr. Kling’s humor that just keeps me wanting more. Hilarious and sentimental at the same time. A fun read any time of year.
I've always enjoyed the comedy of Kevin Kling. This novel is brilliant. Kling is what Keillor used to be. He's subtle, poignant, and frankly, just a great writer. I'm anxious to read "The Dog Says How." This one is highly recommended!
I've always enjoyed the comedy of Kevin Kling. This novel is brilliant. Kling is what Keillor used to be. He's subtle, poignant, and frankly, just a great writer. I'm anxious to read "The Dog Says How." This one is highly recommended!
April 30, 2013
Maybe I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could. Kevin Kling has lived an interesting life, and he tells a few of his stories in this book. I took my time reading it, here a little and there a little, which felt just right for this book. I had high expectations, and it didn't quite meet them, but there are some gems in there, like the State Fair chapter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews