Member Reviews
I am so glad to have read this book. Logging Off was light, funny, and very easy to read. It's exactly what I needed during these stressful times.
The books is about Andy Bellows, a man who is addicted to the internet. He experiences a lot of physcial and mental health issues, to which his doctor suggests a total internet detox as a way to help. The story follows his (mis)adventures through a 60-day trial of an internet free life.
I had not read anything by Nick Spalding previously, but his writing style and storyline really appeal to me, and I'll be reading more in the future. There were many parts where I literally laughed out loud, and some chapters where I was laughing so hard I had to pause and breathe before getting back to the book. It is a perfect read if you're looking for levity and relief!
The premise of this book seems promising and extremely relatable. As Andy goes about his day engaging in different modes of digital technology, it was eye-opening to read because I think most of us do the same thing. That being said, it was a bit difficult to get into the storyline. I couldn't relate to Andy's thoughts or stream of consciousness. While it may not be my cup of tea, this book still discusses the relevant topic of technology addiction.
What a great book to read during the COVID 19 lockdown! I could totally sympathise with the feelings of deprivation that Andy felt; we are all feeling the same but for the opposite reason. Whilst most of would like nothing better than to log off and get back out again, in the real world, with friends and family, we can still empathise with his addiction. A salutary tale. I am sure most of us have experienced that feeling of panic and being cut off when the Internet fails. Only now are we realising how very unimportant that is. People, health and freedom are what really count. It is, despite this, an amusing and entertaining read, which did succeed in taking my mind of the global situation. Worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing UK, for the preread of Logging Off.
First, from page one, this book is a riot. Laugh out loud funny. Andy Bellows depends on his iphone/ipad/any technology to get through his day. His latest app? One to record bm's. Yes, seriously. His day goes downhill and Andy is advised to go on a "digital detox" for 60 days. Can he do it? His friend, who is also a newpaper reporter, goads him into it to seal the deal with an article for the paper. What ensues next is both funny and yet so true. Order food? Directions? Try new places & things?
You will find yourself laughing, cheering him on and hoping for the best. A must read (especially now, during a pandemic). Thank you Nick Spalding!
I really wanted to like “Logging Off”. I was excited when I saw the book think it would be a great funny read. While I enjoyed the ideas behind the storyline the book left me wanting more story and less poo.
I enjoyed this book and it was just what I needed to read at this time. It's a light hearted look at the impact of being online has on our well being and it's written in a funny yet thought provoking way. There is a good underlying story and a principle character you really feel for. Really helped me get out of my reading slump. Thank you.
Another day. Another book 🙌 #loggingoff #nickspalding #lakeunionpublishing #netgalleyreview #Netgalley what happens when you are addicted to the internet and all of its social media apps? What tolls does it take on your body and your health? How much time do you spend online? Now. I want you to undergo a 60 day #digitaldetox no more #googlemaps #instagram #facebook #tinder you name it. Can you adjust to life in the #realworld? Can you adapt to #humans? Follow #AndyBellows and see just how transformative it is to let go of your digital Life. Or. How it isn't 🤷♀️ #nospoilers #canyoudoit #bookstagram #bookreader #booknerd #books #covid_19 #quarantine #thisisfortyone #thisislifewithautoimmunediseases #livingthedream #minusthepaycheck😂
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Andy is addicted tot he internet. He uses if for everything, including tracking when he poops. When he suddenly develops lockjaw during a presentation for a potential client, he starts Googling the symptoms (never, ever do that). Eventually, he makes an appointment with his Dr who tells Andy that he is addicted to the the internet and technology. His Dr suggest a 60 day digital detox. Andy thinks he is crazy but attempts it.
His journey during those 60 days is a fun, and at times, laugh out loud experience.
I enjoyed the book. The story flowed easily and kept me wanting to read. I feel like doing a digital detox would be a good idea. Maybe not 100% for long periods of time but trying to be more mindful about being present when you are with friends and family and to put the phone away. Talk to people and be present for them. You may learn something.
The quote at the end of the book that I loved was "Life is about finding your balance. No matter how long it takes"
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.
Fun read, lively prose but the plot was kind of unexciting. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Light-hearted read that will leave you wondering whether our increasing reliance on technology is helping or hurting us. For our protaganist, Andy, its definitely hurting him - and reading about his adventures trying to detox was both enjoyable and cringe-worthy. The book won't change your life (I don't think!) but will give you a few hours of enjoyment.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a great fan of Nick Spalding so was delighted to receive a free ARC of this ebook. Many thanks to the author publishers and Netgalley.
I enjoyed this book so much. It tells the story of Andy, a graphic designer who works from home and who fills every moment that he possibly can in the digital world. He suffers from a number of unpleasant physical ailments directly due to all the time he spends on line. His digital detox is thus chronicled, and it is hilarious. Yes some of the humour is lavatorial (just the way I like it 👍💩) but mostly it's a funny story of what is increasingly a problem for many folks today. It was a perfect antidote to the very dark times we are struggling with at the moment. I strongly recommend it. I'll give it 4.5 stars.
Another funny, yet thought provoking book by Nick Spalding which makes you think how your life would change if you logged off. No Google Maps, Trip Advisor etc. I really enjoyed this, but wanted more laugh out loud moments, hence 4 stars rather than 5.
I haven't read Nick Spalding before as I don't get on with humurous books. This one was a pretty good read but the jokes were too 'schoolboy' for me to give the book more than three stars. The tale of detoxing from the internet is very apt in today's society. Especially currently during the Coronavirus exclusions and distancing when people are tending to use social media and online meetings more than ever.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book by Nick Spalding that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had several LOL moments. 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.
Frantic. That is the opening tone of this book. Andy is using so many apps and is online constantly, that his life has become a frantic mess and his health is beginning to suffer. After his physical symptoms become a real problem during a job presentation, he visits the doctor. The prognosis: digital detox. Andy is to stop using social media, apps, and the internet for 60 days except for conducting business. He is a freelance graphic artist. In order to save himself, he goes “cold turkey” on all electronic and internet access and discovers some very interesting things about himself and the influencers he used to follow. Does his life get better when he eschews all online contact? New fun and life changing situations and attitudes develop for him. Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of this excellent book.
Andy is bombarded with health issues. When his jaw locked during the middle of his presentation for a marketing design job, he knew something was very wrong. Instead of going straight to a doctor, he decided to self diagnose himself on the internet. After getting various answers, one worse off from the next, Andy finally seek professional help. The problem, he was suffering tension from being too much online. So Andy decided to Log Off. He is committed to staying off everything technological for sixty days.
In today world, there is a heavy present to be online at all times. Whether it be games or social media, there is always a screen in hand for everyone, even kids. There are information overload and sometime not the best kinds. Technologies and the world wide web are our futures; however, there is such a thing has too much. The main point of the story is balance. There is no need to do everything online. I find this book to be realistic and refreshing. It's a nice reminder that being connected all the time can have health measure that not everyone is aware of.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Logging off felt a bit like a modern fable that we could all learn a lesson from. It was really funny but also managed to maintain some poignancy.
Andy Bellows lives his life through a screen and cannot function without online validation of everything he does - this a is a modern day obsession and we journey with Andy as he embarks on a digital detox. Hilarity ensues but there is also some changes to his life and how he views the world around him.
This was a great book but also made me think about how much time I spend online - although I won't be giving up google maps any time soon! So, step away from the phone and have a go at reading this instead...
A very funny novel about a 36 year old man who is addicted to email, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Google, games etc on the internet. He has physical symptoms of IBS, headaches, lockjaw, neck and shoulder aches among some of his symptoms. When he finally goes to his doctor after researching his symptoms on the internet, his doctor diagnosed him as having an internet addiction and advices him to put away all instruments except his laptop which he can only use for his work as a graphic designer. He agrees to a detox for two months. The story is about his adventures and misadventures during the two months. I laughed hysterically when he got lost and when he went on a blind date. There is a cute romance aspect to the story also. I loved the book
This book has a good message about how our internet and social media use doesn’t have to be one extreme or the other. We don’t have to completely shun them because they are both useful in many ways. Why let useful technology that saves us time and headaches go to waste?We also don’t need to have our eyes glued to screens every waking moment. There is so much we don’t realize that we miss out on. It’s all about balance.
Now here’s the other part: this book was too long and there was a lot of rambling and drawn out scenes. I often found myself annoyed with the main character as he was quite dramatic.
So, I appreciated the overall message of this book and did get a few laughs, but it could’ve been a lot shorter. But everyone’s tastes are different and others might really like it.