Not exactly what I was expecting, but turned out to be a fun read about turning off devices. Andy Bellows is a freelance designer that is suffering from chronic headaches and insomnia. His doctor recommends stepping away from his devices and let his brain rest from the overload. The book is about his journey logging off.

It was difficult to like the main character, but I think that was intentional. As he traveled through his journey of being "unplugged" he became less and less annoying. This book is so relevant because of all of the devices at our ready these days. At times this was a humorous commentary on being too involved in social media and how can affect a person's life.

Logging Off is not high literature, as the main character drops the F bomb quite often and discusses bodily functions in an interesting manner. Andy Bellows is a simple man with a problem: he spends too much time on his devices and not enough time looking at the world. When his doctor suggests his medical issues are related to his use of the aforementioned devices, can Andy log off and change his life?

Logging Off is very entertaining, as I found myself laughing my way through the novel. The premise is simple, but the message it leaves with the reader is anything but basic. In a world where smartphones and social media rule, the novel reminds readers that there is life outside of the little screen and it is time to start living in the real world. With all that has happened in reality lately, having a book that entertains is a rare gem. For these reasons, I would absolutely recommend Logging Off to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Logging Off by NetGalley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

As a big fan of Nick Spalding, I was happy that Logging Off was yet another wonderful read! I read this at the very beginning of the pandemic, when picking up your phone was a terrifying event, and Andy's determination to log off should be an inspiration to us all.

At some point this year, I swore off reading any more British books for a while. But, I needed something light and quick after my last read and this book on my Netgalley shelf fit the bill. It ended up being a mixed bag, though. The storyline is one most can relate to as we increasingly live our lives online. The main character feels sick and anxious and miserable from all the time he spends online. His doctor encourages him to go on an online detox and the majority of the book is about what that’s like for him. I highlighted several passages that really spoke to me about what the various social media platforms are like or how we feel the need to share everything now and keep very little private. this was an ARC from Netgalley so I can’t share them here. This was really timely for me as I endlessly wrestle with my own screen time and try to maintain balance for myself. While this all sounds very serious, the book is actually satire and had several laugh out loud moments. It did drag on otherwise, though, and what should have been a quick read took me longer because I wasn’t particularly sucked in by it.

I felt like the "problem" was too ridiculous, and I didn't like the main characterI tried to listen to this several times, but I just couldn't finish it in the end.

Nick Spalding's novel Logging Off is the story of man in desperate need of a digital detox. Andy Bellow, like many of us, spends almost every waking moment interacting with technology, right down to the tracking of bowel movements. When the stress of digital overload creates havoc on his health and career, he grudgingly makes the decision to turn it off. I enjoy Nick Spalding's wit and sense of the ridiculous in his novels. I have previously read Dumped, Actually, and was delighted to try his next project. And then I read the first chapter. I do not exaggerate when I tell you that I almost closed the book and never looked back. I have never before subjected myself to so much talk about poo. As a parent, I've seen it all, but that doesn't mean I want to read about it. But I'm not a quitter. Thankfully, this subject is only mentioned in passing for the remainder of the novel, and I was not sorry that I persisted. The rest of the story is the Nick Spalding I've come to enjoy. Andy Bellows is constantly getting into scrapes, and does so with all the droll commentary we expect from a Spalding character. More than that, this book does the seemingly impossible and actually made this digital addict consider easing up on my own technology usage. I would highly recommend this book, with the aforementioned warning regarding chapter one.

I initially thought that I would enjoy this book and that I would recommend it to my partner. However, unfortunately it was very predictable and, to be honest, slightly mind-numbing. The idea of a digital detox is a good one in this day and age, but regrettably this book is more likely to put someone off the idea. The focus was on the romance, which was predictable from the start, and not really worth reading to the end for. Disappointing.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Good book with a strong message!

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

Love all of nicks books and this one was the same, loved the premise and the plot and characters and had many laugh out loud moments, a nice easy going read but thought provoking in places too, we do spend far too much line online than off and a break does you good now and again, I loved it, thanks Nick another cracker!!!

I really wanted to love this book. I’m a fan of NickSpalding’s other books, and the premise is really relatable and timely. It’s funny, and should have been an easy read...but I kept putting it aside. Finished it on this last go, and I think it didn’t really hit its stride until the second half of the book. (Oh, and I’m a bit of a 13yo boy at times, but I grew wearing of reading “poo”. )

A feeling of being detached from the actual, real-world because of too much time spent online is well-known to many people these days. There is as well a lot of information about doing a digital detox, however, this book, as it is a fiction, gives a real story of how it is to go through one. The book was truly hilarious, yet felt true. It is as well truly relatable and might want you to consider doing a digital detox.

Logging Off by Nick Spalding seemed to fit the classification of British humor and satire. Andy Bellows is a freelance graphic designer that is afflicted with many ailments. He tries to self-diagnose himself but ends up going to the doctor. The doctor tells him he needs to disconnect from his electronics and gives him a pamphlet to guide him. His only use of technology would be the minimum amount he needs for his work. Can he survive?

The concept of the story was original and Andy is an interesting character that you sympathize with. He wasn’t that compelling of character though. There were moments of laughter while reading this book, but the language was a bit off-putting at times.

Overall, I liked the book, but it’s not one I would run out and recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

I think this may be Nick Spalding's funniest and best book to date.

I lost track of the amounts of times I was giggling or laughing out loud, which had I been anywhere busier than I was, may have resulted in me getting some odd looks.

From the first few lines I was drawn in, and utterly exhausted by just how much Andy Bellows relies of the internet and social media.

If ever there was a man in need of a digital detox it's Andy, and thankfully after a rather embarrassing pitch for a job that went a bit awry, he sees a doctor and that is exactly what is prescribed.

I loved seeing how Andy tries to cope with his new normal, and there are just so many fabulous instances or him trying to get re-used to analogue life!

I loved the Mendips and the duck pond I loved the personal ad date, the pug in a wizard costume was hilarious, and initially just Andy's pure confusion on how on earth to order a takeaway or how to pick one was amusing.

Andy is very easy to relate to, after all haven't most people occasionally wondered if they may be a tad addicted to their screens! I know I am!

This was a hilarious joy to read, give or take a few descriptions that I feel could possibly come under the heading of TMI, when it comes to his bowel movements!

Loved every second of this, and this is easily Nick Spalding at his finest.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

As someone who is constantly on an electronic device, cell phone, computer, e-reader, etc., this really hit home. It made me step back and make sure that I’m spending quality, not quantity, time on my electronics.

Read this book for a highly entertaining and cringeworthy story. You will find yourself thanking the heavens this wasn’t about you!

A well written and interesting take on swearing off technology for two months. Well written with a serious message yet still lighthearted and remarkably funny. I enjoyed it and recommend it as a quick and thought provoking read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. In Logging Off my Nick Spalding we meet and follow Andy Bellows, a graphic designer, who is addicted to social media and his phone. After exhibiting several 'physical ailments and self-diagnosing himself using a web search, he goes to his doctor. His doctor recommends that he disconnect himself from all electronics. With the help of his friend, a writer, he decides to embark on a 60 day detox of all social media and his beloved phone. What follows is a humorous series of events that Andy narrates for us. Along the way he meets Grace and a following of characters who want to know about his experiences. There were several laugh out loud moments that had me acknowledging that I too am addicted to social media. Having attempting and failing a 40 day detox during Lent, I know the obstacles that Andy faces and applaud him for his success. A must read.

Can you do without technical devices? Can you keep from tweeting,texting,googling? Are you anxious, have recurring headaches,, find yourself tense all of the time? Our hero was. His doctor told him he needed to detox....no tech..none. How do you do that when surrounded by it? His friend wanted to write articles about this detox and so the story goes. It’s cute. Makes you think about how you would handle a tech detox.

As someone who is constantly on an electronic device, cell phone, computer, e-reader, etc., this really hit home. It made me step back and make sure that I’m spending quality, not quantity, time on my electronics.

Read this book for a highly entertaining and cringeworthy story. You will find yourself thanking the heavens this wasn’t about you!

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.