William McInnes' best-selling memoir, A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, takes us back to the long summer holidays of the 1960s and '70s and the last of the baby-boomer childhoods. William narrates with humour and affection about his family and especially his mum and dad, who talked to the TV set and enjoyed life in their house near the bay.

William McInnes is a talented author and a natural storyteller. A tail-end baby boomer, he 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 talks 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 A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, you can hear his father speaking and listen to his mother singing.

This is a story 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 story by a man who had a great time growing up. His warmth and humour come through in every word.

This Australian memoir tells of a time that will be familiar to many readers and a delight for all.