From bestselling author Nick Spalding comes a hilarious, uplifting story about one man’s attempt to live a tech free life.
Andy Bellows is in a right state. Plagued with insomnia, anxiety and neckache, he’s convinced there’s something seriously wrong with him. And the worst thing is that his doctor agrees. The diagnosis: Andy is in the grip of a self-destructive addiction to technology—he just … technology—he just cannot put that bloody mobile phone down.
Texting, tweeting, gaming and online dating—technology rules Andy’s life. His phone even monitors his bowel movements. So how will he cope when he’s forced to follow doctor’s orders and step away from all of his beloved screens?
When he loses his precious digital window on the world, Andy discovers just how bewildering and scary living an analogue life can be. And when his sixty-day detox hits the headlines—making him a hero to suffering technophiles everywhere—Andy is sorely tempted to pack it all in and escape in the nearest Uber.
Can he get himself out of this mess, and work out how to live a better, technologically balanced life…without consulting Google even once?
more
If you need a good laugh, and really who doesn’t read this book NOW. It is so spot on to what so many are experiencing and yet not acknowledging and so hysterically funny. Andy Bellows is a smart man who has not looked anyone in the eyes in way too long because what if he misses something on his screen. Ahhh the horror. Every moment of his life is ruled by his phone. Social media, apps for almost everything some of which are just plain gross. He isn’t feeling well so self diagnoses because that never goes wrong! Going to the doctor he is fully expecting a terminal diagnosis. He diagnosis thankfully is not terminal, but in his mind it may as well be. Andy is addicted to his phone. And so begins the process of Logging Off the internet and reentering the world and land of the living. Turning off all technology, using a land line, having to look out the window to know the weather, ordering food without checking Yelp, and holy smokes talking to and interacting with actual humans. The journey of a 60 day internet detox is one you won’t want to miss. Funny, smart, life affirming, at times poignant and did I mention funny?
Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book. Also, I am pretty sure I am far from the intended target audience and yet I loved it.
Lots of laughing right out loud!
I keep forgetting just how funny this author really IS! I’m reading along trying to relax and go to sleep and then I’m laughing so hard I have to raise my bed so I can catch my breath! Great fun and nice story!
My first Nick Spaulding book but will definitely not be my last! I truly enjoyed the premise of Andy Bellows needing to detox from his tech addiction. I think we could all use a bit of that. Very enjoyable and humorous story. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
I received a free electronic copy of this humorous yet-should be required reading in mid-April from Netgalley, Nick Spalding, and Amazon Publishing UK. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Logging Off of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Nick Spalding is always funny. And usually spot on with his off-the-cuff advice.
The timing of the arrival of this book was excellent, caught me actually flatfooted with the shut-in orders from my state on coronavirus pandemic, and the fear that I would have too much time on my hands. Not! It was appropriate, however, in that, I don’t have enough hours in the day to get to all my special projects, household chores, and gardening preparations and maintenance even with social distancing and the necessity of remaining home-bound. My eyes are now wide open.
If you, too, find yourself with a crick in your neck, frequent debilitating headaches, trouble sleeping, and many and varied aches and pains, perhaps it’s time to set limits on your internet time. I can’t give it up as Nick Spalding did as I would NEVER hear from children if I did, but it is definitely time to more sensibly reevaluate my time online…
I loved this book. Andy Bellows is a thirty-something guy who lives in England. He finds himself with real physical problems IBS among them. As the story unfolds he comes to realize that his obsession with the internet and his smartphone might be adding to this problem. So a 60-day detox from the internet is called for. Little does he know that this will totally change his world. Ironically I read this book during the 2020 shutdown for Corona19 virus. I am on the internet way more than I ever was before haha. I found my self laughing out loud and shaking my head in agreement a lot while reading this wonderful book. Thank you Netgalley for giving me an advance copy to read and review. This helped me so much during such a surreal time in history.
It’s my second story by the author and I can’t recommend it enough. You could say it’s a romantic comedy told only in the male’s character POV and this one ends with a happily ever after. I loved how real it feels everything and the topics that it touches as well as the laugh out loud moments and there are some very good ones like the one with the dog and Puggerlugs song. I think it’s a must-read story because it talks a lot about the social media and the health side effect that it brings with all the new technology and apps available and how some people are just giving up their own life decisions to others just because those people had it better in their opinion.
So if you want a reality touch with a romance story and all the thoughts and feelings coming from a male perspective, you have to read this book
Nick Spalding’s wry humor sweetens a strong lesson in Logging Off, his most recent novel and thinly disguised cautionary tale. The book is the farcical account of first-person narrator, Andy, a graphic designer whose addiction to technology and social media has resulted in some serious physical and psychological side effects. When an important client meeting becomes disastrous due disturbing symptoms, Andy decides that he will embark on a 60-day “digital detox” to reset his health. His best friend is a reporter who composes a feature about Andy’s experiment—the publicity acting as a reinforcement to his endeavor. Andy soon discovers how completely obsessed with online activities he has become. The removal of these sources of security illuminate the life skills that have been underdeveloped and highlight his utter dependence on instant information and entertainment. The wacky “fish-out-of-water” misadventures and slapstick episodes that follow are entertaining, if a bit far-fetched. Along the way, a romance blooms and the protagonist finds himself the unwitting object of wide-spread admiration and attention. Despite being ambivalent about pursuing his “detox,” Andy feels compelled to continue by the pressure of his new “followers” and the irrepressible current of a movement he never intended to spark. As he struggles with feelings of hypocrisy and confusion, he also recognizes the benefits that the endeavor has brought. Logging Off is a bit too long and the humor at times is contrived and lowbrow, but the book remains a fun read despite its strong moralistic stance. Spalding’s attempt to preach moderation and life-balance is perhaps obvious and over-stated, but his amusing approach makes it a lesson that is easy to swallow.
Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing (Amazon) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Relevant, humorous and a bit irreverent: very good read
4.5stars
Spalding did a fine job confronting the current addiction to technology and social media in a light-hearted, humorous way. After a health scare and an enlightening visit to his physician, lead character Andy logs off except for his work requirements. He pretty quickly realizes how shelving his devices improves his health and opens him up to actual experiences, and even sweet romance, rather than living through swipes and the screens of his smart phone and IPad, though it’s not all smooth sailing. The author makes a heap of thoughtful points but in an entertaining way.
My favorite (LOL) scene involves a blind date set up through the local paper’s personal ads; my least favorite was Andy’s interminable journey through country roads with no electronic navigation assistance. The work road trip was just strung out too long. But there are a number of other memorable moments that made this a relevant and touching tale. Devotees of social media who read Logging Off may well decide to give Andy’s detox, or a modified version, a try!
This was my first time reading a Nick Spalding novel but it won’t be the last. I really like his sense of humor and writing style.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and opinions expressed are completely my own.
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The cover is probably what drew me in the most. It’s simply but well-done and very effective in getting the premise across. And the story itself was entertaining. It’s entirely plausible that there are already people like Andy Bellows who would benefit immensely from a digital detox. And while I don’t think everyone would have the same wacky experiences he had, I think the essence would be the same.
Nick Spalding does a lovely job of highlighting the pros and cons of technology and its role in our modern lives. The narrative really doesn’t make an argument one way or another and I found that refreshing. The over-the-top situations contrast nicely with moments of introspection and self-awareness, giving us a complete picture of the complexity of the issue.
I found it particularly interesting to be reading this during a pandemic and a time of physical distancing. Right now, we are all using our technology to work, to stay in touch with loved ones, to stay informed, to order essential items, to entertain, but also to distract from the reality of our situation. This experience is going to fundamentally change how we interact and utilize technology and social media. And as the characters discuss, it’s all about finding that balance that works for you.
This book starts off at a sprint. It seems sort of spastic and a bit hysterical. Until Andy logs off. And then the story allows you to catch your breath while walking through Andy’s digital detox. I wonder if that was deliberate. Our lives seem so fast-paced and the fever goes down once we set down our devices.
It has very funny moments, some moments that feel like someone’s trying too hard, but it’s a fun story to read. Andy is likable enough and the poor chap yet wants to live his life! He gets himself into some predicaments discovering the downside to a digital cleanse but ends up the better for it.
I was asked to read this book and give an honest review. If you need something funny, here’s a book for you.
LOGGING OFF by Nick Spalding is classified as British humor and satire. There is some humor and satire in it so that seems to fit. Andy Bellows is a freelance graphic designer that is afflicted with headaches, neck aches, insomnia, muscle aches and gastrointestinal issues. With the help of his phone and tablet, he tries to self-diagnose himself, but ends up going to the doctor. The doctor tells him he needs to do a digital detox for two months and gives him a pamphlet to guide him. His only use of technology would be the minimum amount he needs for his work. How would he survive without texting, tweeting, online dating, and all of the social media that drives his days and nights? How would he even find food? Will it even help him? Can he survive?
Andy is an interesting character that you can root for and sympathize with, but I would not call him a compelling character. Humor and, especially satire are used throughout the novel. The language was a little stronger than I like at times, but I still enjoyed some laughs. The internal and external conflicts were well defined and the secondary characters had were nicely developed. Themes include digital dependence, physical ailments, romance, isolation and self-discovery.
Overall, I liked the book. It was well-crafted and I would recommend it to those that read this and think it might be something they will enjoy.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Nick Spalding for a complimentary ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Tough review to write because I did request an ARC, but the poo references were far too involved and much too often.
There were great parts to this book, especially the message that many of us are far too involved with all things electronic – social media, email, news online etc. It’s a very timely message given the Covid19 pandemic and the dire warnings we see daily on social media about it and all the erroneous messages relating to it and other things also.
This book was humorous in parts and I enjoyed the romance, but the poo references need to be cut by about 2/3.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for approving my request for an ARC. All thoughts in this review are my own.