Member Reviews

This heavy handed story is about a man who is addicted to the Internet to the point of causing him physical illness and then decides to go off all social media for 60 days. The reader follows him through the struggle and feelings of detachment and then his discovery of real life, real world, real attachment.

It definitely has its humorous moments and was enjoyable enough, but was just too predictable and ham-fisted. Did we have to read this to learn that we should have a healthy balance in our lives? Was I ever surprised by anything that happened? Nope.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This one is a little too frivolous though the message is a good one - we all need balance in our lives. I'd have enjoyed it more with a little more depth, more character development, and a few less jokes though some of the humor was appreciated.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A pretty decent message with this book. Although I found Andy to be slightly annoying throughout most of the book. And a little over the top.

Was this review helpful?

‘Logging Off’ is the latest in a line of great reads from Nick Spalding that ironically had me glued to my kindle...
Andy Bellows is an internet & app obsessed freelance graphic designer. He lives his whole life online using apps for everything from Take Away’s to Taxi’s and conducts almost all of his friendships on social media. His life has become a stressful place that results in him feeling physically ill a lot of the time.

When Andy finally snaps and sees a doctor after a terrible experience at a pitch, a ‘digital detox’ is recommended (which he ironically searches for info about online). Thereafter the fun begins... I was rooting for Andy who, with the ‘encouragement’ of his one physical friend Fergus, takes on the challenge with gusto. Various scrapes ensue with much hilarity along the way.

I enjoy the way the author manages to tackle a serous subject, that I’m sure a lot of readers will can relate to somewhat, with really amusing stories and situations. I also loved reading about his new friendship and the various different characters he met along the journey. I was laughing out loud during the visit from Colin, Wilberforce & Puggerlugs and loved the nod to the lovely Ollie, the star of his last book ‘Dumped Actually’. (That if you haven’t already t read you should).

Great book with a healthy message attached. Loved it.... Nick is definitely becoming one of my favourite authors.

Was this review helpful?

Looking for a light laugh out loud book? This is it. With all the madness around us we need books like this to lighten our lives a little bit and make us laugh. Out loud and hard. I so enjoyed this book and so will you. Happy reading!

Was this review helpful?

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 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?

From having to leave the flat in search of food like some kind of Neanderthal to engaging in conversations with actual people, Andy’s about to discover just how bewildering—and scary—the analog world 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?

I found it just ok. Not really good. Just too much curse words for shock value and bad humor. I am sure some would like it more than I did.

Was this review helpful?

This is a cute/ quick read. I enjoyed it. The humor and sarcasm is definitely British so if you don't find British humor amusing, you will not like this book. Fortunately, I love it! This book was a wonderful little escape from every day life. Andy Bellows must log off for "health" reasons and there is a lesson in there for us all. This was fun - I would suggest it for my younger family and friends. Please read through reviews of this book. Some of the lesser reviews were only because they didn't enjoy the tone of humor. I enjoyed the tone and therefore enjoyed the book overall.

Was this review helpful?

A funny and entertaining read.

Andy is addicted to social media and the internet. It is causing him health problems and his GP tells him to have a 60 day detox. The book follows him as he does this; the things that happen and the people he meets. Will he make it through 60 days and if he does, what will happen then?

It makes you stop and think about how much time you spend online yourself.

I liked how there was the little link back to Dumped Actually, Nick Spalding's previous book.

Was this review helpful?

When Andy Bellows starts suffering from severe neck pain and throbbing headaches, and has a panic attack, on top of insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome, he knows he needs to do something. When google and multiple medical forums can't help he finally relents and visits a doctor.  The diagnosis isn't good - Andy is spending too much time online, across various devices. He has an addiction to technology, and it is making him ill.  The doctor prescribes a sixty day detox, but can Andy break the grip of the addiction?


This is the third book I've read by Nick Spalding, so I sort of know what to expect with them now.  In this one our main character Andy is plagued with an addiction to technology and spends all of his time online.  Whilst Andy does seem to be on the more extreme end of the scale for tech and internet use, the concept of spending too much time online is one we're probably all guilty of at times.  It was interesting to see Spalding's take on this, and see how he highlighted ways in which we've come to rely on technology without even thinking about it.

I liked Andy Bellows.  Although he is a bit hapless and has a tendency to get himself into some bizarre and sticky situations, he's not entirely feckless.  You can see how he ends up in the messes he gets into, and if I'm being honest I could almost see myself falling into some of the same traps.  His encounter with Henrietta is one I could definitely imagine happening to me.  I seem to have a knack for attracting some interesting characters to talk to!

There's a lot of humour in the book, and I found it funnier because of its believability.  It is a bit predictable at times, both in the unfolding of events and in the ending, but generally I don't read these sorts of books for surprises.  There is a clever link in here to Dumped, Actually, which was the last book I read by this author.  It won't matter or spoil anything if you haven't read it, but if you have it's a nice touch.

I thought Nick Spalding did a great job of pointing out some of the pitfalls of online life, whilst also showing some of the advantages the online world gives us.  There's an overwhelming feel good factor to the book, and although there is a message in there it doesn't come across as preaching.

Was this review helpful?

This book was okay at best. Reading the synopsis for the book I was quite excited to read it! It sounded like something I could relate to, but getting into, it seemed like the star of the book was nothing but a whiny man-child.

Was this review helpful?

Poor, poor Andy. This main character goes through some STUFF, that's for sure. He's a likable character, as are most of the other characters, especially Grace. By the end of the book, I felt so invested in what happened with Andy's life moving forward. This book definitely makes me wonder how I'd be able to cope with a digital detox. Probably not well, but this book makes me curious about how it would go.

Was this review helpful?

Funny, uplifting, thought provoking and a little bit of romance.

As we follow the often funny consequences of Andy 'detoxing' from the digital age due to the negative impact too much instant information is having on his health we can also learn a few things about our own lives.

Read this book, have laugh at Andy's detox and the unusual characters he encounters, then maybe give a detox ago.

I love the way Nick Spalding brings his humour into the writing and the witty character names in this books. Cob and Ham are still making me chuckle,

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for a free version of this book in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Love a Nick Spalding book. They're always relatable, quick witted and funny.
When Andy is told by his GP that his current health issues may be caused by his obsessive screen time usage he decides to go on a complete detox with hilarious consequences.
Such an easy read.. Brilliant as usual.

Was this review helpful?

What to think? What to think? I don't know. The writing style was witty but almost over the top, awkwardly self-aware, witty. Andy obviously has a problem When your tech addiction causes you physical pain and explosive diarrhea (I have to mention it because it takes up half of the first chapter), you may have a problem. Then I balance that with the irony of me being given this ARC electronically so I can read it digitally....but I don't have a problem-you have a problem!

And Andy has a problem. So, a graphic designer kinda needs SOME technology. He knows he has a problem when he gets the DTs within the first 24 hours. He doesn't think he can make it until his friend Fergus (tell me you don't hear that in Rowena's voice) tells him he can write a newspaper article about it and feature his work. When it may benefit him, he's all in. And...that's the problem with the first quarter of the book. You just don't like Andy. You aren't hoping he will succeed. You don't care about him, You do almost feel bad for him when he starts to realize just how fake online life really is. And real life. Even when logged off.

I found the first half of the book to be fairly boring. I know, the dialogue was meant to be entertaining, but I sometimes found it annoying to listen to people talk around what they were saying. Or maybe people don't listen, even in person. It gets repetitive.

Eventually, Andy starts to make real connections. He starts to get the reinforcement he use to get from strangers online from real people as he becomes a small time celebrity.

Strangely, this book points out the ease that the internet gives us in so many things. Yes, we can use maps (I sometimes still do and I've traveled 48 states and 4 provinces by car!) but GPS saves us a lot of time. The characters start to see the difference between utility and frivolity. A lesson in perspective, I suppose.

I would have enjoyed this book more if I liked the characters or found their voices a little less self aware and annoying. A quick edit would have kept me from scanning some of the rants.

Was this review helpful?

I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Logging-Off-Nick-Spalding-ebook/dp/B07YKT9SZ5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=logging+off&qid=1587389477&sr=8-1
This book begins with Andy Bellows, the main character talking about an app that tracks your bowel movements! You know a book starting with poop can only go up from there. I was dying laughing when I read that, but maybe I should actually look for this app! The app is called How UPooing, come on that is giggle worthy to say the least! HEHEHE. OMG this book had me doubled over in belly laughs as the symptoms are googled and nothing, but cancer comes up. We have all had those days where we have the worst headache ever and start googling it and suddenly we have a brain tumor. Once Andy goes to see the Dr, he tells him that all of his symptoms can be traced to the fact that he spends too much time on the Internet. WHAT!!!???? What would we do without the internet these long days in Quarantine??? How would we watch movies or communicate with other people-oh yeah, remember life BEFORE the internet? We used to go outside and do stuff. We used to enjoy the outdoors and hiking, biking, skating, etc. We used to enjoy fresh air and the company of other people, a real life conversation even!
Andy confesses to the Doctor that he spends quite a lot of time on the internet. The Doctor informs him that his inability to sleep comes from too much time with that bright light going into his eyes. All of this creates too much stress on the brain, which translates into the rest of the brain. Andy is ordered to digital detox. The Doctor tells him to follow up in a month, as that should give him enough time to detox from electronics. The pamphlet that Andy was given says he has to go 60 days without the internet. Andy packs everything up and puts it in a box. Andy sets out on a mission to clean up his apartment now that he has more time to do things now that he isn’t spending as much time online. Found time, it is like now that are all in Quarantine. We have all this found time to do all the things that we haven’t had time for. Andy adapts his life to not be tech central. Andy heads to the coffee shop the next morning and runs into his friend Fergus and suddenly, Andy sees all the technology connected to the free Wi-Fi at the coffee shop. He decides then that he is going to go home and open up the box and hit the Internet and screw this whole detox thing, or is he? We go on an adventure with Andy fighting his addiction. Will he fall off the wagon that quick or will he stick with it?

Was this review helpful?

Enjoyed this book, being stuck at home relying on technology for any external contact. Lots of humor in the book and a good fast pace. Will go look at other Nick Spading books to see what other subjects he has had a go at

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed Andy Bellows journey, on his doctors advice, of detoxing from social media, smartphones, and the internet on the recommendation of his doctor. A freelance graphic designer with symptoms of IBS, a painfully locked jaw, and a sore neck. He had tried to self diagnose through the internet.
Andy grudgingly follows through with his best friend reporting on the detox in the local paper to keep Andy accountable. But Andy struggles without using a smart phone for GPS, ordering food, or keeping in touch with the world around him. It could be the best thing he has ever done.
flag
This is the first book by Nick Spalding that I have read. Digital detoxing is a very relevant issue anymore. It is quite a shock to one's system to be "logging off" and realize how much we depend on technology for many things in our lives. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a humorous and somewhat goofy read.
Digital detoxing is a very relevant today. It is quite Interesting how much we depend on technology for many things in our lives. Read to the end.

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable light read, the beginning didnt capture me in straight away however I continued and am glad I did for an easy book to read.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Andy Bellows is at the end of his rope, plagued by health problems & a host of personal issues he uses "Dr. Google" to diagnose himself into a fit of anxiety only to have his primary care physician poo poo on his internet diagnosis & suggest ... A DIGITAL DETOX ... oh the horror! At first this seems like an impossible endeavor to someone who' routinely spends 80% of his day on screen time but after some deep thought & some internet research Andy takes the plunge. His friend Fergus is there to help him along & make him the star of a newspaper feature which of course brings fans to his door, sometimes literally. Andy meets Grace during a hilariously bad blind date with another woman & they bond over their shared internet addiction & Grace joins him on his analog adventures. As their friendship deepens Fergus' newspaper features bring legions of new fans to Andy's fold but can he live up to their expectations? Can he live up to his own?

This book was a very pleasant surprise! I have heard of Nick Spalding but had never picked up one of his books before & I loved his cheeky humor & dry wit. Andy could have quickly become insufferable but he was written so painfully self aware, brilliantly sarcastic, & charmingly awkward that I was with him 100% throughout the book. I rooted for him & cheered for him & he never let me down. I laughed out loud during several chapters & have already looked at several other titles by this author, if they are half as charming as this one I will be overjoyed.

Was this review helpful?

~~~I received an advanced e-copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.~~~

Andy Bellows is a good bloke who is way too plugged in to social media, video games, and the internet as a whole. It is affecting his life and his health. On his doctor's advice, he logs off from it all. Of course, he has mishaps and runs into situations that may not have occurred if he still had access to his electronic life.

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting look at how a lot of us are so into the social media and the virtual world that we might miss a thing or two if we aren't paying attention. While I can't say that I could do a complete log off, I do think we all could benefit from cutting back on occasion.

Was this review helpful?