Logging Off
by Nick Spalding
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Pub Date Apr 23 2020 | Archive Date May 07 2020
Amazon Publishing UK | Lake Union Publishing
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Description
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 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?
A Note From the Publisher
Before becoming a full-time author, he worked in the communications industry, mainly in media and marketing. As talking rubbish for a living can get tiresome (for anyone other than a politician), he thought he’d have a crack at writing comedy fiction—with a very agreeable level of success so far, it has to be said. Nick has now sold about two million books—including a million books sales with Amazon Publishing alone. This flabbergasts him every single day.
Nick lives in the south of England with his lovely (and extremely patient) wife. He’s now in his mid-forties—and is rather annoyed at the universe about it, because it gave him no choice in the matter. He’s also addicted to Thai food, still thinks Batman is just about the coolest thing on earth, and has a dreadful singing voice.
Nick’s Twitter: @NickSpalding
Nick’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/NickSpalding
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781542017480 |
PRICE | $14.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
I’ve always been a fan of Nick Spalding and find they are good for when I have read too much of one genre.
This is another funny, witty and thought provoking book which is really apt for this period of time. We are all so plugged in and logged on all the time that we could all do with Logging Off at times..
This was my first book by Nick Spalding and I thought it was brilliant. The story is very apt, as I think we could all do with a technology detox! From the first page, I found it easy to read and had me wanting to keep reading. I liked the characters and thought it was funny. I also liked the use of wording in the book – very refreshing! How often do you hear the word discombobulated?!
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Quick read about the effects technology has on society.
Andy Bellows is a 30-something graphic designer, with a strong penchant for overuse of screen time. This culminates in a wide variety of physical ills leading to a very uncomfortable bathroom event during a pitch. His doctor recommends cutting out all things web-based, aside from work, for a period of 60 days. And here we have Logging Off.
Some of the escapades Andy gets into during his journey are genuinely humorous. And the love story with the beautiful Grace is nicely played out. However, it feels like the author didn’t hit his stride until about 3/4 of the way through the book. My number one piece of advice would be to edit out the majority of “poo” references. I couldn’t go two pages without one; it was distracting and added nothing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance of this title in exchange for my honest review. This is a relevant title (no pun intended.) I go through this all the time, and I think so many of us know how Andy, the main character feels and the issues he goes through. I love that it's a quick read as well. A lot of what the author talks about took me back to some of the things I used to do, that I no longer do, because of all the technology. I love it, and I hate it. I'm betting pretty much anyone can relate.
Such a relevant book for today. I think many people will relate to the character of Andy and his experiences of living in a world that is constantly 'switched on'.
I think this book highlighted both the pros and cons of the online world, particularly of social media.
It covered so many areas: online dating, social influencers, the media.
I liked the glimpses of going back to a simpler time: using maps, landlines, using the high street instead of internet shopping.
Well done Nick Spalding, you definitely have a hit on your hands here. Also thankyou to Netgalley for allowing me to read this in advance of its release.
A very quick and humorous read! I use my phone far too much so completely enjoyed this story.... Well done Nick Spalding for highlighting this and how life improves when you detox from your phone and other electrical devices.
Another funny, witty and thought-provoking read from Nick Spalding.
When main character Andy Bellows finds himself in a sticky situation at a work presentation he decides there is no alternative to visit the doctor- that is after he has diagnosed himself with 5 types of cancer using “Google”. The diagnosis: Andy spends too long connected to the online world and needs to embark on a digital detox. The story follows Andy as he begins “Logging Off” and reconnecting with the real world. A world where he has to use paper maps, leave the house to buy food and speak to actual human beings. Before long Andy’s story appears in the paper but Andy is beginning to have second thoughts.
Overall, an absolutely fantastic read. Nick has written in such a lovely style yet again, funny and gives the reader something to think about. I’m sure this book will do well once published and I have no doubt that it will end up as one of my top reads of 2020.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.
This book was so good. I didn't to put it down! The characters were well rounded, and the storyline sucked you into it and made you feel like you were really there. The author did an great job telling this story.
I literally cried laughing at this book. I love Nick Spalding's sense of humour and his books always make me laugh. Some of the opening scenes where Andy is being interviewed were hysterically funny! After Andy realises the amount of stress he is causing himself by living his entire life online, he attempts to detox from technology. Some of the situations he finds himself in are just incredible and I particularly liked the reference to some of the characters from the previous book Dumped Actually.
Humour is very subjective and maybe not everyone would find these books as funny, but I can honestly say they suit my sense of humour completely and would urge everyone to give them a go! Thanks for all the laughs Nick, your books never fail to cheer me up.
I have read a couple of Nick Spalding’s books before, and enjoyed this one just as much. So much in fact, I got asked if I was going to laugh whilst reading in bed and keep my husband awake! There were several laugh out loud moments both during my lunch break and during my evening that lead to this remark. The story of Andy Bellows and his digital detox is something that all of us can relate to (hopefully not the duck pond incident!).
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the advance readers copy of this book.
Quick and funny read about being addicted to technology. There were a lot of really interesting points and I liked that it was funny and not patronising.
Some of the humour was… questionable; I think there are only that many poo jokes you can make before it stops being funny and starts being irritating.
Overall though it was enjoyable, and it is a good addition to Nick Spalding’s collection of books about different addictions and societal issues told in a humourous manner.
Logging Off was a quick, extremely relevant read. A few parts had me laughing and I enjoyed it overall. This was my first book by the author and I will be sure to check our more.
As is always the case with a Nick Spalding's book, I loved it! His brilliant use of the language could again be worth the reading alone. This is top comedy and intelligent humour on a very serious matter and I think many will have a few home truths delivered while effortlessly reading what can be a very light, very funny story or the report on the recovery of an addict. Or a beautiful, heart-warming love story, too. I laughed (much) and cried (a little and they were happy tears) and adored all the characters, and that includes Puggerlugs! How lovely to see a the cameo by characters from Dumped Actually, too!
I can only recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author for an early copy.
#LoggingOff #NetGalley
I’m a fan of Nick Spalding and have read lots of his other books. I think this is one of his best. Very modern with an engaging story. Read it in one sitting.
Andy Bellows is an everyman. Someone most people can identify with. If you are not like him, you know someone who is. That’s what makes his character so great. It's very easy to identify with his trails and his foibles. His problems are very timely, in fact, this book could be ahead of the curve, in address the over-reliance on technology, specifically online.
In its way, it’s a wake-up call but wrapped up in a crazy and Hilarious narrative. Forget a Greta Thumberg, its Andy Bellows who we need to listen to.
Its fresh and original, and the journey here is great fun. It a good you cannot put down. You just want to experience more. Just like the technology, it deals with, it very compulsive. This is my second Nick Spalding book, after reading Dumped Actually. Personally, I think this is even better than that great book. That is why I thought it was pure genius to overlap a with part of Dumped Actually. Marvelous idea.
Really recommend this to anyone with a sense of humor and fun. I believe this is going to be the top of many people's recommended lists. Pure Genious. to be shared with as many people as possible
A very relevant topic in today’s world!
I have read a few of Nick Spalding’s books now and as with all the others I find them to be a very easy and fun read. I look forward to reading more.
I did not enjoy this as much as the last book, that’s not to say I did not like the story, I just found it to be not quite as funny. Logging off was a good fun read though and I would recommend you give it a go, I would be interested to hear/see other people’s opinions on it
This is the first Nick Spalding book I’ve read and I found it so easy to get into and enjoy, it’s a very accessible book and also incredibly relatable. The concept of a digital detox is very relevant as we are all getting more and more reliant on technology which as illustrated so well in this has both pros and cons. I loved following the thoughts going through Andy’s mind as he despaired at the impact the lack of technology had on both his mind and his life. His friend Fergus was fun to read as he was so good at gently manipulating Andy for both their benefit and the loggers off, especially Grace, were well written. This was a really relaxing read with some great humour and also very salient points.
Andy Bellows is a graphic designer who is addicted to modern technology. His life is controlled by the apps and the internet. When his health takes a nosedive through anxiety, his doctor recommends a detox from technology, logging off from digital life for 60 days!
What follows after this is the usual crazy and farcical high jinks that Spalding loves putting his characters through. My only negative about the book was that there wasn’t as many laugh out loud moments as there has been in his previous books. But, to be fair, not many authors make me laugh out loud and after reading a certain scene with a pug I had tears streaming down my face!
4.5 stars I have read a few of this authors books now and I always know they’ll never disappoint me. This was a fun lighthearted read that had me laughing out loud a few times. A very funny and thought provoking read with great characters.
Ah I wanted to love this book so much but I found myself skimming through the middle trying to complete it. I loved the idea behind it- imagine giving up your phone for two months? No social media, google, email (unless for work).... I don't think I can do it. I loved the beginning when Nick was heading to a job interview yet constantly checking his email, weather, facebook, twitter along the way. Honestly it stopped me in my tracks because that is something I find myself doing, going in circles refreshing my apps throughout the day. So while this book did get me to work on changing my habits and had me LOL in certain scenes, I felt it lagged a bit of a storyline.
This was my first Nick Spalding book and I hope to read more, I am do like how his writing style so hoping to check some out.
Andy is ridiculously addicted to the internet. To such an extent that he barely manages not to defecate all over himself at an interview and experiences symptoms similar to a stroke in said interview.
He books himself a Drs appointnent, spends the time leading up to the appointment Googling his symptoms (always a great idea), to be told by his GP that he needs a technology detox.
Now Andy must spend two months navigating life without technology while learning exactly to what extent he has let that technology completely take over his entire existance.
I am a Nick Spalding fan and do already have this book pre-ordered. Having read all of Nick's books, I was absolutely delighted to find that I could access #LoggingOff it early on #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a fan, this book does not disappoint. Filled with witty language, a hillarious storyline and loveable characters, this is one of Nick's best books yet. I loved how characters from some of Nick's other books make little cameo appearances too.
This book, whilst being hilarious, also shines a very real light on the serious effects that
the overuse of Technology can have on us. Also, how unrealistic it is to aspire to be anything like the trendsetters on Instagram as profiles are often fake or heavily edited/retouched and only show what the account holder wants to project to the world which is not necessarily the truth.
If you are a fan of other Nick Spalding books, you are going to love this one. It is very typical of his writing in that you will laugh out loud while reading. If you have never read any Nick Spalding read this book to see why you need to read the rest of his books.
Although the book will not be released to the public until next month, you can pre-order it on Amazon now.
I love Nick Spalding’s books. He always manages to take real life issues and explain them away with real life humour.
This book, just like his others, didn’t disappoint. Technophiles, like myself, will love reading this book. How to cope without technology? How to fill your time and get back in to the real world? This is actually an issue many people may be facing. Such a good book about 2020 issues.
A fun, quick read. I especially enjoyed the links to Spalding’s other novels.
This is witty and highly amusing in places - although I found sometimes that the pushing of the realms of reality made it a bit wearing.
Such a good book. Definitely one to enjoy and it makes you think. How much time we spend a day focusing on the stuff that really does not matter when we should be seeing what is right in front of us! I love it!!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Logging Off.
This was my first book by the author, but it won't be the last.
Logging Off is the humorous story of Andy Bellows, a 36 year old freelance graphic designer whose dependence on all things tech has wreaked havoc on his very human body.
When his doctor suggests a digital detox, Andy is reluctant, yet for the sake of his health, pursues this strange, new journey on the road to wellness.
As a result, Andy discovers a newfound appreciation for his life, finds a new love, and that logging off doesn't mean giving up tech entirely, but to find a happy balance between living his life and needing tech to live.
Andy is a relatable character; some of his qualities I can definitely relate to, including the way his mind makes funny remarks only the readers can see.
The author injects the narrative with humor, which I enjoyed, but at times I felt it was too jokey.
Some scenes were amusing, but drawn out. It was how I felt when watching Bridesmaids; some of the outrageous scenes were hilarious but went on for 10 minutes too long.
This was a good read. It would make a good rom-com.
I don’t recall reading other books by Nick Spalding, so this was an introductory read for me. I found the writing style simple and engaging, even if his personality was a bit histrionic at times.
I enjoyed witnessing his guinea-pig quest to quit all things digital except for work. I like revisiting the nostalgia of pre-Internet and his story provided plenty, as well as illuminating how much our technology has permanently changed our culture.
Thank you to Net Galley for this fun glimpse and past and present reality.
2.5 stars. I love the idea. I think everyone on the planet needs to detox from technology. It was funny at times, but the writing was a little long-winded (two and a half pages about trying to find a spot in a parking lot?) and there was more talk of IBS than I ever need to read in a single book.
I wasn't sure about this book when the first two pages talked about an app that would track bowel movements. I pushed through those few minutes of grossness and was glad I did. Getting to know Andy Bellows as he learned to live without technology was a great reprieve from the real world. It was also interesting to think about walking away from all social media when currently the world is under a global pandemic. To live without the constant barrage of information is tempting right now, but scary at the same time. In that way I relate to Bellows as he starts his detox. What I really enjoyed about this book was his final message. That following others, checking into what they're doing or their opinion to make your choices is a waste of time. I totally see the irony that I don't believe in checking in on opinions as I'm writing a review for a book. But I don't believe you should choose to read this book because I liked it. You should choose to read it because you want to. I know I'll be checking out more of Nick Spalding's books now.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
I wanted to like this book...ironic that I read it on an iPad. However, I found myself skimming just trying to finish. It did go by quickly, but I didn’t really feel like there was a storyline. I found Andy annoying and couldn’t relate to his train of thought.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book was laugh out loud hilarious and I really enjoyed it! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs that read like fiction and who needs a laugh! This follows the story of our main character who gives up the internet for two months and how that affects his life. He even finds love and the whole story was just so cute! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Two thumbs way up for this one!!
I have enjoyed many of Nick Spalding's books in the past because I love their sense of humor and writing style, but I found Logging Off to be incredibly tedious to read. I caught myself skimming for key words and plot points because I wasn't connecting with any of it. I'm sure it was a deliberate stylistic choice to show how addicted to technology the main character, Andy, is and perhaps if I had kept reading it may have eventually revealed a nice character arc. Unfortunately, this one is a miss for me and I am adding it to the DNF pile after reading 25%.
Honest review provided in exchange for a galley copy courtesy of #NetGalley.
As always - Nick Spalding does not disappoint!
A humorous look into technology as only Spalding can do the best!
HIGHLY recommend
Many Thanks to Amazon, UK and NetGalley for a great read!
Witty comedy that's so appropriate at this current time where we are all using technology and social media to keep us entertained while the world is so unsettled. I read this at the start of the lockdown and it was so thought provoking when considering just how much time I spend online, could I cope without it? I have no idea!
Well worth a read and a try at coming offline.
Received a copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
OMG! I loved this book! So funny, I hurt my belly laughing. I had been meaning to read this author for a while and took this opportunity to do so. It's so awesome to see a guy perspective on modern life and it's problems. Give this one a go, you'll be glad you did.
I loved this book. After reading it I realised that actually I spend far too much time on social media, while I am lucky it doesn't make me feel inadequate some people it does. When Andy starts to suffer physical symptoms he decides to live his life without using the computer - there is lots of humour in this book which appeals to me but it has a serious undertone. Imagine going back to a time when you don't have all the answers at the tip of your fingers. An enjoyable read that made me think about how I live life
I tried to read this one but I can’t get past the first chapter. It’s crude and not funny at all. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m not the right audience for it or not, but I don’t find it to be very interesting. I won’t leave a review on other channels as it isn’t fair since I did not finish reading this book.
I enjoy reading Nick Spalding books as I find them an easy read and mostly likely they seem to be relevant to society! As today with all the social media going it was refreshing to read a different perspective on it.
Amazing book - i could not put it down, but then reminded myself that I did not want to end up needing a tech detox (like the hero) and finished it on day2 ! :) Hilarious, satirical and absolutely adorable. The author has taken a mundane topic and brought a very fresh look at surviving in the 21st century without the help of modern tech. highly recommend.
Andy is addicted to tech, and it's causing physical problems. His doctor recommends a complete digital detox, and Andy is forced to agree. Kept on the straight and narrow by his journalist best friend in the name of well-written soft news, he's amazed when his crusade actually seems to connect with people. Can he make real connections in an analog world?
There's an odd dichotomy about reading this on a kindle; I kept expecting someone to show up and remind me that I was supposed to be on a detox. That's how absorbing this novel is.
It's true that most people spend a lot of time on tech nowadays, And I'd easily believe that it's having physical effects. I liked that this book did not make any claims to easy answers; in fact, it made a point of explaining that detoxing is not a one-fits-all solution, may not help everyone, and that there are as many bad points to it as good ones. The world is not kind to people who can't access the internet nowadays and Andy has several problems that would have been easily avoided if he'd had his phone.
This is also a remarkably funny book, not preachy at all. I very much enjoyed reading it.
Although I found the first couple pages hectic and slightly chaotic, I soon fell into the rhythm of this charming story. It can be a bit silly, I thought the first chapter scenario would have the character waking up in a wild dream/nightmare but no, it was just the hilarious characterisations that feature throughout the novel. All the characters have exquisite names, and I loved the Britishness of the humour and the settings, I read this book when I was away and it made me very nostalgic. Often, despite the ridiculous situations the character ends up in, his thought process is totally relatable and what everyone else would be thinking in these situations. This novel is hysterically funny, from the duck pond to Herbert to Wilberforce, It was nourishing and upbeat and a joy to read!
This was a wonderful book to read. The Internet can be very addictive and Logging Off shows us what can happen if you let it take over your life. Some of the things that happen while he is doing the detox is so funny. But it shows all he has had to go through doing this detox. There was so much to this wonderful story and it did make me stop to think about how often I am online and what I have lost because of it. I am still laughing at some of things he went through still thinking about them. It is a book that I think everyone would enjoy. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review and my honest review is I learned somethings, I laughed a lot and reading it brightened my day.
The premise of this book is the wonderful benefits found from disconnecting and actually living without all the devices. I liked the idea of the book, I just couldn't do it. I tried. I suffered through the first 1/4 of the book. I skimmed the next 1/4. There was too much language and the humor was just not my style. I wish I could have read it because I think we need different ways of looking at the need to unplug. This just wasn't the one for me.
Could not finish.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC for my honest opinion.
This is the first book by Nick Spalding that I read and it's definitely not the last! Especially during these stressful and uncertain times, Logging off was a funny and easy read, I loved the light writing style. I laughed and giggled during the whole book and I'm glad I learned about flying buttocks :-)
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their mind off the current serious situation, who needs a little digital detox (don't we all) or who just needs a good laugh.
Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the premise behind the story – stepping back from a dependence on digital media and the difficulties encountered along the way. Nick Spalding tells a good tale and I enjoyed the gentle love story as well. However, I found the humour rather clunky and obvious, a bit too slapstick. The story would have worked just as well without the over the top events that jarred a bit. That aside, I enjoyed following Andy’s journey of self discovery, and loved getting to know Grace.
Really good book, enjoyed it funny throughout, loved reading the journey of Andy and the doctors predictions.
Quick read easy to get through, great for a light hearted read but one to get into to.
This was a perfect tonic! Easy to read, smart, funny and relatable.
The premise is relevant and touches some nerves, he might end up ‘starting a movement’ for real.
Read for a bit of easy reading humour about current society and social media from a male perspective.
Logging off is a quirky book about a guy who is addicted to the internet. Andy Bellows embarks on an entertaining digital detox that has some good... and bad consequences. He gets himself into some funny situations and I did like the relationship that bloomed between him and a fellow “logger off”. There was enough good parts to keep me reading but nothing super memorable about this book. I could have also done with fewer references to Andy’s vowel movements. The main takeaway is everyone’s life needs balance.
Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Utterly charming. Logging Off is a great addition to collections where women's fiction and UK authors are popular.
Logging Off is the colorful story of Andy and his obsession with social technology! It's also the story of his physical ailments, which may be due to his technology addiction. Andy "logs off" with the help of some friends and this story is what he discovers along the way.
I read this book in record time - the story is humorous and compelling. I recognized myself in some of Andy's behaviors (a little disturbing!) and am now wanting to log off, too! This is a great, light read for all of us who wonder where our life balance has slipped off to!
The thing about Nick Spalding is that he seems to be a really good bloke, and he writes about other good blokes who have 21st century problems that we can all relate to, which sometimes is all we need for a comforting, hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable read.
Logging Off is classic Spalding – Andy, our hero, like so many of us these days, has been dodging real life by living online too much until his body finally tells him that it’s time to pull the plug or else suffer the consequences. Cast adrift without so much as Google Maps to help him find his way, will Andy be able to log off for a whole 6 weeks and what will he discover about himself on his journey?
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, to NetGalley and to Mr Spalding for letting me read this book – I really, really liked it.
I didn’t like this; it read like a Buzzfeed listicle: 53 Ways To Cut Down on Internet. Would have been an entertaining and interesting five minute read but it didn’t stretch to a novel, for me. A quarter of the way through, only 20 hours had passed in the book and when I realised that, a weariness overcame me and I decided to skip to the end to find out what happened.
This is my first book by the author and I was not disappointed. I was intrigued from the get go about the cover and description that I read. Told in from the male perspective, Logging Off chronicles the digital detoxification of Andy Bellows. When his doctor tells him all his supposed health problems stem from his digital addictions, Andy embarks on the toughest journey of all - separating himself from his electronics. I had to remind myself countless times that this is a work of fiction but still apropos to the life we lead in today's world. The dialogue was funny and witty. The characters well written and well rounded. I recommend this to anyone who needs a good laugh!
Andy Bellows seeks help from his physician after experiencing a terrible bout of jaw-clenching and a series of violent attacks from his IBS. His doctor diagnoses him with an addiction to the Internet and social media, and prescribed a six-month detox, which requires quitting all forms of internet connection except for that required for his work as an online, freelance, graphic artist.
This, to Andy, is like a living death, until he discovers not only advantages but important life lessons.
This is a very funny book with an important message - that moderation in all things results in a generally happy, fulfilled, life. The characters are delightful, especially those who have bit roles.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.
I do enjoy a book by Nick Spalding. So light hearted and easy to read. I particularly enjoyed this book as you can relate so easily to how much we tend to do online these days just out of ease! It's much more than you probably realise however I must say I worn be logging off anytime soon.....
An enjoyable read that had me laughing out loud at time, I would thoroughly recommend.
This book deals with the after effects of quitting all internet for 2 months. It was funny and relatable.
I wanted to like this book but, unfortunately I gave up a few chapters in. So the following is based on those chapter and a skim thru.
The idea was great. A person totally reliant on technology for their every need going ‘cold turkey’. I could have been great but, it wasn’t. I know to was suppose to be funny but, it wasn’t. Too many toilet jokes. I had to check that this book for for an adult audience because the writing was so flat. Written with only a very limited vocabulary. I know there is a market for easy to read novels for those wishing to destress. However, given the high quality of children's literature these days this book can only have been written for those with the barest knowledge of the English language. Come on Nick you can do better!
This is the first book I have read from this author. A good moral book for today’s younger generation. This book takes today’s youth and the way technology has taken over so many people’s lives. It has some very funny puns and at times I had to shake my head in disbelief. But that is how many people are today. We all need to find the balance between technology and life. A good read.
This book gave me a run for my money. It started off so bad, I just couldn’t handle all the poop talk for the first two chapters, I honestly almost stopped reading it because of that. After the first 2 chapters though, I loved it so much. It was fun, witty, hilarious, especially the whipping cream part. The meaning behind it was great too, it actually had me stopping to think about how much I actually rely on technology every day. Over all I really really enjoyed this book and am so grateful for the opportunity to read it.
Spunky, charming, and oft times snort/chortle/giggle-out-loud worthy, this book is so very, very relevant to most people given how the Internet has turned into both a necessity and a clutch. This was my first Spalding novel and I'm glad I requested it. Admittedly, it did stress me the eff out in the beginning, as the main character's addiction was something I couldn't relate to; not to the extent he gave himself over to social media. I deleted Twitter and Facebook and haven't regretted it for a second. I don't live on Instagram, though I do share pictures of our rattie furbabies, and I rarely play the four games I have (Pokémon GO, Kingdom Hearts χ[Cross], Wordscapes, and Word Stacks). I do rely on the Dictionary/Thesaurus frequently, though. Me aside, "Logging Off" was mostly a fun read. The story behind the coffee shop was in my Top Five Favourite things about the book. And the duck. Definitely the duck.
Bonus British English spellings, words, and the like!
Overall I enjoyed and would recommend LOGGING OFF if you are looking for a light-hearted, personal growth story with a touch of romance. I am a particular fan of British humor and snark, and this had it in spades. LOGGING OFF follows ANDY during a recommended 60 day digital detox in an attempt to help his health ailments. During the detox he has a slew of hilarious encounters and escapades, which he handles with brash indignation and humor. These encounters with funny characters are definitely the highlight of the book. Sometimes LOGGING OFF went around in circles and was a bit heavy handed with the “live your own life” message, but I ultimately think the wit was enough to keep me reading to the end and it recommend it for a very quick, light read with a message that most of us could probably use.
Thanks to Netgalley for this book. I have read Spaldings previous books & had high expectations. I was not let down. Spaldings trademark whit & charm is really evident in this book. If you want an escape from Covid19 & to laugh for a few hours this is the book for you. A really fun read.
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
Andy Bellows has an addiction and it's affecting his health. He has muscle aches and pains, headaches, poo problems, and lockjaw. He fears the worst as he goes to his GP to get what he is sure is a death diagnosis. Instead, Dr. Hu tells him something he doesn't want to hear and certainly didn't expect to hear. He's an addict...to the internet and all of its trappings. NOOOOOOOOOOOO! But as Andy thinks about it he realizes, with a sinking sick feeling, that Dr. Hu is right. He's an addict and it's time to detox. Thus begins a 60-day digital detox. Day 1 and the withdrawal symptoms are strong but by the end of week 1 he's slept better and his headaches are gone, as are the neck pains. Hmmmm. Maybe there's something to this detox thing. As Andy continues on his detox journey we go with him as he attempts to navigate the world without the use of devices. You know, like we did only 20 years or so ago. He can't believe how reliant he has become on devices and the various apps that apparently do his thinking for him even though he didn't realize it. The lessons Andy learns intrigue others and soon he has a following, not virtually but in real life which leads to a whole other set of problems. Is what is best for Andy best for everyone?
I wanted to read this book because of the topic. Digital detoxing is of great interest to me as is the science that is now emerging over what the digital life is doing to our health, physical and mental. Nick Spalding takes a fictional look at this very real epidemic with a twist of humor. It was great. He addresses the pitfalls of digital life with the balance we desperately need. How did we all get so dependant on electronic devices and the world wide web, to include "social media", so quickly? What are the pros of advancing technology? What are the cons? Is it possible to find a balance and practice digital life in moderation? I was hoping, as I started this fictional account of digital detox, that Spalding would address these real-life questions through his story. *Spoiler Alert.* He did.
This is a must read book for anyone who has found themselves spending just a little too much time on the Internet (basically all of us). The main character Andy is a normal run-of-the-mill guy who comes to realize that he’s really not living a full life by being so obsessed with social media. The situations that Andy finds himself in are hilarious but also thought-provoking. The great takeaway from this novel is balance - something we all need alittle bit more of in our lives
Laugh-aloud moments in this book............Highlighting the pros and cons of living in the digital. Certainly gave me good reason to think twice about losing myself down the rabbit-hole of Facebook, Twitter etc. If you're looking to have yourself a good chuckle to get through these undoubtedly gloomy and worrying times then Nick Spalding is certainly the go-to man for that! Really enjoyed this light-hearted and sometimes poignant book.
2 stars
Logging Off
by Nick Spalding
This is my first book by Nick Spalding and unfortunately, it will be my last. I expected so much more given the hype his books receive. I found it mildly funny and very whiny. Just not my type of book. He is in his late 30’2 and he constantly complains about how old he is? Really? It is ridiculous.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.
Living in an age where technology is so important in our daily lives, I thought that this book’s theme was really important. Especially during the UK’s quarantine, it can be quite easy to spend all day on our phones or laptops without even realising. This makes the book quite relatable to a lot of us. For me, it was when Andy started googling his symptoms that I realised that I can sometimes have similar tendencies.
Despite the book having quite a serious theme, it was constantly lighthearted, funny, and easy to read. Andy is quite a melodramatic character, and everything seems to go wrong for him. This meant that some scenes felt a little bit exaggerated, but this might just be more to do with my sense of humour if anything else.
I think Logging Off really picked up about half-way through after Andy deals with the initial stresses of living offline. The irony of Andy having a fanbase despite his detox and the introduction of Grace picked up the pace of the book for me.
I also liked how Andy, or the narration, sometimes spoke directly to the reader. It made me feel very involved and included with the story, and I felt that I really wanted him to complete his digital detox.
I can imagine Logging Off being a great holiday read, or a great pick-me-up book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Books for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
“I’m suddenly struck by a huge sadness, thinking about all the people I may have missed out on over the years.” Logging Out by Nick Spalding
3.5 stars! I’ve been reading books of Nick Spalding for years. His books are light and his dry humor comes out nicely.
This is probably one of my fave of his. Logging Out is about Andy, a man who suddenly had to quit cold turkey, his online life for his hearth.
Andy has all the apps and more than you can think of. I mean he’s so very much connected. So like any other addiction, his logging off, except for work related matters, was a huge struggle. And his struggle was...a little funny. I mean the situations he found himself in because he was unplugged. And the people he met too were...characters. 😂 Except for Grace who he stumbled on.
For a lighthearted book (in my opinion), this deals with something we seriously need to do every now and then... our dependence, addiction with being connected. Let’s be real here. I’ve had those aches in the back because of being hunched over the iPad. My eyesight has gone bad because of reading/surfing on my phone. And you lose track of time when you’re sucked into YouTube or Flipboard or IG or Facebook. So I’ve had to find my own balance. Just like Andy did. Though I never had it as bad as him.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK for the arc of this book. Nick Spalding is always a fun read.
Andy is stressed, his neck hurts and he's having a hard time going to the bathroom. Convinced he has a serious disease, he goes to see his doctor who tells him he is addicted to the Internet and all the technology that goes along with it. His doctor suggests that he do a sixty day detox ... no gaming, texting, tweeting, Facebooking, Googling, etc. To get healthy, Andy agrees. But he's ready to give up after a couple hours when he has to actually go outside to get something to eat ... it was so much easier when all he had to do was use an app on his phone.
His friend, Fergus, is a journalist and sees Andy's detox as a great story and perhaps an inspiration to others so writes about it in the newspaper. So no matter how tempted he is, Andy can't quit now because he starts to gain a following. Along the way, he finds out how hard it is to live without technology (like having to actually use a map to get where he's going) but he also discovers how nice it is when he meets Grace and goes on day trips outside with her.
This is the sixth book I've read by this author and I liked it. I liked the writing style ... it was funny and sarcastic. It is written in first person perspective in Andy's voice and it's as if he was speaking to me, the reader. The author is English and the story happens there so some of the references weren't common to me. As a head's up, there is a swearing.
Could you give up technology and the Internet for 60 days?
Logging Off by NIck Spalding is a quick and easy read with plenty of humour to keep the reader engaged and entertained. Andy Bellows is spending so much time online that it is damaging his health, so when his doctor recommends a sixty day digital detox, despite some initial qualms he decides to give it a go. Life without his devices is even harder than he expected, technology has become such an integral part of every day life, from google maps and sat- nav devices to food delivery apps, that living without it may be a bigger challenge than he can overcome. Over the course of his detox he makes some new and surprising friends, has a disastrous blind date , and a car journey from hell which make for very funny reading. Regular readers of Spalding's books may spot a few Easter eggs, which also added to the fun of the book. Given the tense climate of the world at the moment, this book was a perfect lighthearted distraction, and the message of balance has never been more apt that it is at the moment, when every scroll of the phone screen is more bad news, and more than ever we are relying on technology to anchor us to the world at large.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own,
This was an interesting read at a time when everyone in the world, is relying on being online to keep them connected to their loved ones and what is going on. This story was about the opposite, with the main character Andy, stepping back from his online world.
Andy Bellows in a bit of a mess, he has IBS, back and neck pain, not sleeping well, head aches and the latest development, lock jaw. After this all coming to a head, Andy decides he has to see a doctor, as after googling his symptoms he is convinced he is dying. His Doctor gives him a simple diagnosis that he is not dying and most of his symptoms are being caused by his online addiction. The Doc prescribes him a 60 day digital detox. Even the thought of this sends Andy in to panic, however in reflection he decides to give it a go. Within 24 hours he is on the verge of giving it up when his best friend Fergus, drops by. Fergus is a journalist for the local paper and persuades Andy to keep with it and he will write an article about the detox.
The detox leads Andy into some compromising positions, talking to a duck and pulling a first date out of a toilet window. It does get better though. Like many of Nick’s books, it is a disastrously, calamitous funny story. It is an easy, light hearted read and perfect for the current time we are living in. The overriding message to take away from this is; balance in life is essential, quite obvious, but always good to be reminded. Also what works for someone may not work for another, we are all individuals.
I received my free copy from Netgalley in exchange for this free honest review. I give this book 5/5.
I have loved all of Nick Spaldings books. They are so light hearted and funny to read. They are pure escapism in this busy world we live in. This book is no exception and although this contains Nick's usual humour and believe me there is a lot. It also brings home how much modern day life has changed and how people in this digital world have lost the skills of the true value of spending time with people.
I truly enjoyed this book and loved the characters in it. I highly recommend everyone should read this.
I REALLY wanted to like this book! While I found it ironic that it was about a digital detox, but I was reading it as a ebook, it just missed the mark for me. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen l, but unfortunately Grace being introduced didn’t do that. As soon as she was introduced, I knew they would become a couple. The most exciting part of this entire book was her losing her necklace and him finding it.
Loved this cute and fun book! It's funny, but also very real and poignant about how technology is taking over our day to day lives. Fun story, but also very needed for every person to read. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
A unique but very realistic look at how technology is ruling our lives. It is funny and sad. I think it should be a must red for everyone under the age of 40. It points out how we need balance in our lives that sometimes seems to be sadly lacking.
I really enjoyed this one! It was light and laugh out loud and exactly what I needed.
This was a comical story about poor Andy Bellows who decides to take a digital detox in an attempt to better his health and his life. His story might seem exaggerated but everyone has found themselves in Andy’s position of being too plugged in and out of touch with reality. The greatest takeaway is balance - something we all need a bit more of in our lives!
This book was neither here nor there. I enjoyed the book for what it was but nothing really stood out to me and captured me enough to really want to read everything Nick Spalding has ever written nor will I run out to buy this book when it is released. That being said, I would probably recommend it to someone who needs something to read without all the dramatics of the books I normally like.
I just could not get into this self-indulgent book so did not finish. I don't like books that are so reliant on social media posts etc. and I hate whining characters. This book had both and I just didn't care for it. Sorry about that but not all books are for all people. I appreciate the opportunity in any case.
I was really excited from read this one, just based on the title and description, & really enjoyed the male point of view writing, which I feel I rarely read/see done but was a nice change.
While I think the bathroom humor was a little overdone, the concept of logging off of the internet for a digital detox kept me intrigued.
It was a struggle for me at first, but I kept reading & it got better as the poo chat ended and especially as he met Grace and the story got going a big more! I would say 3.5 stars, for sure!
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my personal review.
This was a good read. The story is a little contrived. You know where the story is going to go. The redeeming thing about this story is the point of view of the main character. He is freaking hilarious. Some of his asides and comments had me literally laughing out loud, which is hard to do and a metric that indicates a good read.
Logging Off is an absolutely humorous story about digital detox and how it affects the main character both positively and negatively. The book kept me engaged till the end and I was laughing most of the time. It addresses a real problem of this age and has a nice take home message. too. Definitely a must read book by Nick Spalding!!
Could you detox from social media,go without Twitter, say no to Instagram? This is the premise of Logging off. Andy has been advised after a visceral reaction to a horrible job interview that describes a bathroom situation of nightmare proportions. So Andy does a tech detox that draws public attention and the admiration of a local girl Grace. Along the way others for a group ,names themselves and meets to plot their progress or regress and support each other. Andy slowly realizes life does continue just in different ways and happily love finds Andy in the end.
I absolutely loved this book! It is timely, humorous, colourful characters and an original storyline. Andy is suffering physically, convinced he is seriously ill. His doctor tells him it is down to his addiction to technology. He is constantly on his phone, on instagram, twitter, facebook, google, all the social media apps. The doctor advises a digital detox. Andy agrees he will detox for two months. His phone and tablet goes in a box and is given to his best friend to keep. He is allowed to use his computer for emails as he is a graphic designer. Andy finds himself in some hilarious situations, meets some hilarious and weird characters and there is a love interest. An enjoyable and fun read which is sure to make you LOL!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
After a disastrous work presentation, Andy Bellows realizes he can't go on like he has been and makes an appointment to see his doctor. As he tells Dr Hu about the IBS, the insomnia, the jaw locking up during the presentation so he couldn't talk, and the head and neck aches, Andy is convinced Dr Hu is going to tell him something is seriously wrong with him. In a way he was right. Dr Hu said he was addicted to technology and needed to detoxify. He suggested 60 days without going online except for work. Easier said than done, right?
This book kept me laughing. It made me think of all of the things that would be so much harder without the internet. This is a fun, quick read with lots of quirky & delightful characters that will keep you smiling. Isn't that what we all need right now?
Logging Off - full of humour and laugh out loud moments. A brilliant message to how beneficial a digital detox can be.
Join Andy Bellows on his hilarious capers as he learns to unjumble his brain and relax during his digital detox
Definitely guaranteed to lighten the current mood by switching your brain into the world of Andy Bellows
I was really looking forward to reading this book, but unfortunately it was a disappointing read.
Most of the first half felt like a complete waste and felt poorly written. It was choppy and felt like a mush of content.
The character growth could have been written and illustrated much better. It should have felt like profound growth and yet all the characters felt rather flat and dull.
I was ready to give up on this book at several points.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
How can this book be anything but a 5 star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 witty and very apt in this online world that we all live in. Fantastic characters and as per usual some great laugh out loud scenarios. This book can't fail to put a smile on your face even in these very strange times.
First time reading Nick Spalding's work. I was drawn to this book by the title and description as I can relate to the story. I believe we all could relate in this day and age of technology and the internet. The main character, Andy, is a graphic designer who is always online. He decides to take a digital detox. The adventures he faces while on this detox is the main bulk of the story. It was a quick read, funny at times. I also found myself wondering how it would be to log off from the digital world, I am glad I was given the chance to read this book!
As evidenced by the title, Logging Off is a quirky little novel relaying the story of Andy Bellows as he puts himself through a digital detox. He needs his physical and mental health to be transformed, as he is suffering from a wide variety of stress-induced ailments and, most notably, irritable bowel syndrome. Doctor's orders.
Logging Off, while not without its charm in some spots, was silly but not incredibly entertaining. Andy was whiny, lacking a great deal of depth, and, while he held countless chatty sessions via his running internal dialogue, he lacked a certain amount of introspection and variance in his emotions with which would have garnered more empathy. Andy just wasn't a very gripping narrator. He was prone to overdramatics and his traits were limited to being thirty-six years old, white, male, and addicted to the internet. Other than his apparent skill as a graphic designer (a talent we never actually see displayed but are told about several times), Andy doesn't have any unique qualities. Spalding never really hit his stride with Andy, and instead just inserted one too many escapades and near-funny situations where hijinks were likely to ensue . . . and did.
Andy's overall story was supported by the premise of the logging off and detoxing your body by stepping away from the internet. But that level of completely cutting yourself off is unsustainable in this day and age—something of which we should be profoundly aware during the quarantine, as without this level of communication built and established, functionality would be difficult or a proper quarantine level unattainable. However, so many people recognize how they need to strive for a balance of being on- and offline. And in that, I think Spalding succeeded—I just wish we had a better developed companion for the journey (potentially someone who said "poo" a little less often).
Nick Spalding's Logging Off was very boring and slow going for me. The main theme was a valid concept but all the excess fill made this extremely boring and hard to get through. I do not recommend.
I enjoyed the theme is the book which is very current and a huge challenge for everyone although in the world of Covid 19 we are under siege more than ever from social media and the lessons the main character learnt really resonated. At times I drifted it felt a bit stream of consciousness now and then which I can get a bit jaded with.
It was a relevant pertinent and enjoyable read thanks!!
Funny, quick little read! I felt the characters were a little one dimensional but the overall theme of the book stands on its own. This book would be great for those who enjoy reading comedy but, unfortunately, I prefer a little more meat in my reading.
I loved this book as it forced me to evaluate my relationship with technology. I could feel his pain while he tried to wean himself off of all his tech, yet it really opened my eyes to all he was able to experience and enjoy once he did. It made me wonder if I could execute a detox and if so, would I have the kind of eye-opening awareness that he had? The book also had wonderful humor (the duck pond!) as well as keen friendships and a new relationship. We're forced to realize how much we depend on technology and to our own detriment sometimes as it leads to missing what is happening in the real world. We're missing basic human survival skills because we can easily access everything at our fingertips. A sad state. Every person should read this book and then follow suit with a digital detox of their own!
This book made me laugh. Many many times. Often out loud. Aside from being a great, humorous, sweet story about taking a break from technology, it is truly FUNNY. The narrator, Andy, is hilarious and one hot mess. The book does have a message too — it makes you realize how much we rely in technology, apps, the Internet and google maps!! It also is a good snapshot how much of our self worth we place in strangers’ hands. There is an adorable love story and some interesting and quite crazy supporting characters. In these times serious times when there is so much spouting from soap boxes, this is just what I needed. I’ve never said this before — but I bet the author is a lot of fun at parties. Cheers, Nick Spalding!! I’m giving this 5 stars. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩.
Disclaimer — I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher. Release date: 4/23/2020 #NetGalley #LoggingOff
Somewhat funny(?), thought-provoking and a tad ridiculous. I loved the premise of the book and the takeaway of balance but that was about it. I couldn’t relate to Andy and the storyline lacked a defined plot. The “humour” was not my style. It was overdone, silly and trying to hard to be funny.
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC eBook in return for an honest review.
Great story. Englishman logs off all the internet and cell phone after having a series of ailments and a doctor recommendation that all that looking down is causing his ailments.....
Previous to the diagnosis is hilarious as is much of the book.
And the results of the LOGGING OFF turn out both funny as hell and rewarding as well
Very much enjoyed this book
Content Warning: I don’t normally read books with so much cussing in them. (or any cussing for that matter) But we are facing crazy, unusual times with the deadly Corona virus; so, I took a risk and jumped at the chance to laugh out loud and escape the realities of life for a while. This book is just the ticket for that. It’s entertaining and funny as the author does a great job of allowing readers to view things from the perspective of Andy Bellows, an internet junkie who’s just gotten some bad news about some health issues. The Dr. said he’d have to do an unusual detox immediately.
In the beginning of the detox, Andy Bellows acknowledges he’s become a “potty mouth”. Lots of bloody hell’s, Damn, one “F” bomb I think, and some other colorful words thrown in the mix. I appreciated the fact that it calms down after a while with more bloody hell’s than I cared for near the end. All and all I enjoyed the story, the quirky characters and the great message at the end.
This author does an amazing job of giving readers an insightful peek at how Andy and friends at how connected they are to the internet. These people can’t make a decision about what to eat without help from Yelp, go for a drive without checking the traffic, weather, and set their course with their google maps app. Then there’s the useful sites to help self-diagnose what ails you. Andy concludes, “If the poo app thinks I should see a healthcare professional, then I’d bloody well better do what it says….“After all, if I trust apps to tell me what to eat, where to go and who to date, why wouldn’t I trust them when it comes to something like my health?”
Andy has IBS and is thrilled they’ve developed an app to track his poo! Ok, I wasn’t sure where the author was headed with this until Andy gets ready to go onto a job interview. I smiled as Andy Bellows checks online to get ready for this interview. After the interview he’s not feeling so good. He’s checked the three go to websites and then finally to Dr. Google and had a diagnosis. It was comical. This author had me laughing so hard as Andy has convinced himself he has Cancer.
Andy prepares himself to hear the Dr. say the “C” word when out of the blue he tells him he knows what’s wrong and it’s not cancer. The Dr. tells him he needs a 30-day break from the internet. His friend encourages him and says he’ll help him stay the course with accountability. He’ll write a weekly article. He’ll call it the Detoxification of Andy Bellows. Andy’s not too keen on it but if he were to give this a go, he’d need support.
He’s hungry about this time and wants to grab a bite to eat. Then he thinks, “How the hell are you supposed to know whether you’re getting good food or not, if you don’t have an app to tell you what the reviews for it are?” I laughed my way through Andy’s detox as he discovers new things about himself and the world around him without the use of the internet.
I liked Andy and the quirky cast of characters as I watched them grow stronger in their quest to be real, discover the truth, and seek a balance in life. The story is hilarious in parts, heartfelt and insightful, in others. I could overlook the cussing because I liked the main character and loved the message at the end. I liked what Andy and his friends learned as they faced the world without using their computers, and apps etc.
This is what the author said about his book, “Logging off is actually a book about people…don’t let all that talk about technology fool you.”…”I met my gorgeous wife Gemma online. “This means that, in my book, the internet is just about the best thing ever.”
As all of us are staying at home this is a great, funny escape with a satisfying ending (if you can get past the cussing.) LOL!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
What a great humourous, positive, and great read. I absolutely loved this book! Come from a British author worried me at first but it was very easy to follow. I would recommend this book to all my friends. It actually is a subject that I do believe is very real issus with everyone.
Logging Off
I requested this book from NetGalley to bring a little humor into these days of quarantine and the onslaught of bad news. Andy is addicted to all his electronics, social media to the point that it is affecting his health. His doctor recommends a 60 day detox from all of that with the exception that is essential to his work as a graphic artist. I was not disappointed, had a few good laughs, which is what I wanted to get out of this book. I didn’t enjoy the British idioms and humor, but others might like it. The ending is predictable, everything in moderation.
Overall a three star book that brings a little laughter.
This was exactly what I needed right now, something to make me smile and laugh. Thank you to @AmazonPub and @NickSpalding for this ARC in return for an honest review.
Description 🔖
Everyone is dependent on tech and the internet in one way or another nowadays but Andy Bellows has a diagnosed addiction to his tech. When he starts to suffer from some quite concerning physical ailments, he consults his doctor and the prescription is a digital detox; six weeks with no phone, no iPad, no internet.
Andy doesn’t find this challenge easy, but soon starts to learn that there are benefits. Andy embarks on his detox with the hope of finding his own healthy balance in life and that doesn’t come without the odd hilarious sticky situation.
General Thoughts 🤔
I loved this story. It’s so relevant and I definitely don’t miss the irony that I read this book on my Kindle and I photographed the cover on my iPad, using my iPhone and I’m writing my review on my MacBook. We’re all so reliant on our devices but do we really have to be? How would life really be if it were all taken away? I think that there are a generation that would get by just fine, we grew up without it all just fine. But there are a generation that don’t know any different and would flounder.
Andy’s struggles had me absolutely howling with laughter and really made me pause to think about how I personally would cope. How would I order an Indian Takeaway without the telephone number for the restaurant or the internet to google it? How would I get from A to B with the ability to avoid traffic and redirect without my many navigation apps on my iPhone? It’s funny to think about it but also worrying to me that one day, so many people will literally struggle to get through normal everyday situations if they didn’t have their tech.
Characters 👫👭👬
Right from the off I fell in love with Andy. He reminded me so much of my partner (so no shock I loved him so much) and I think my partner could learn an awful lot from Andy. His sense of humour was fantastic but his vulnerabilities were what made me find him so endearing.
I have to mention Colin and Wilberforce. How can I not?! What a duo. Every chapter including these characters had me laughing out loud. I have worked with so many Colins and so many Wilberforces (not literally, I mean WILBERFORCE?!) and I feel like although their characters may have been stereotypes, they were brilliant.
Writing Style ✍🏽
The book is all written in the voice of Andy and it made me feel like I really knew this character and his personality and how he was feeling. The humour is so dry, so hilarious and it all felt very genuine.
I loved that this book was light hearted and funny but I also loved how relevant it was and feel like it’s really got a message that all of us could pause and take note of. Just like Andy wasn’t intending to become the leader of the “loggers off”, I’m sure Nick Spalding hasn’t written this book solely to preach about the psychological and physiological benefits of a digital detox, but the message is there and it definitely made me ponder.
Conclusion & Scoring 🎖
Needless to say, I would 100% recommend this book to pretty much anyone. Especially given the current circumstances of the world we’re living in at this very moment. So many of us are dependent on our tech more than ever right now and it’s no bad thing as it’s helping many of us I’m sure. However it is about balance and ensuring that we use tech as a means to an end, not a full time crutch. I’m so grateful for this book and the smile it put on my face this weekend.
I received a free ARC ebook from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I was going to. There was a lot of laughs throughout. I thought it might be a bit much for me within the first few chapters but once the actual detox started I was hooked. It was fun seeing how much we do rely on the technology for mostly everything. Especially our calendars, I will admit that is a life line for me. I do recommend this book because it was a fun change of pace and it was interesting and fast to follow. I did laugh that I was using an app to read it though. It was ironic....don't ya think.
Highly entertaining. I think a lot of people feel overwhelmed at times with being slammed by technology. Therefore, most people can relate. Very funny!!
This book came to me at the perfect time. While I don’t spend nearly as much time on the Internet as the main character, I’ve known that I need to spend less time on it.
This book is very funny, easy to read and a great story. This and “The Girl from Widow Hills” helped me break out of my reading slump. I can easily see this be adapted to film. In fact I’m looking forward to watching it on the big screen.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy.
Nick Spalding returns with yet another view on life – this one based on the pros and cons of life online. Written with his trademark humour you find yourself cringing and laughing whilst recognising your own behaviour (and wishing you didn’t!) throughout the novel. Spalding creates appealing and likeable characters with ease.
Andy Bellows has extreme IBS, severe neck pain and experiences lock-jaw during a very important interview for his graphic design business. His doctor suggests that he go on a 60 day digital detox, with the exception of checking e-mail for work. This means absolutely no social media for Andy. During his detox, he gets into hilarious and unbelievable situations that will have you laughing out loud.
If I'm being honest, this is not a book I would have chosen for myself based on the description; however, I am grateful the author let me read his e-book early. I would give this book 4.5 stars. I am a new fan of Nick Spalding, and I am looking forward to reading more of his books. I will admit that I felt guilty reading the e-book version when the character was going through his own personal digital detox.
At first, I was offput by the novel because I wasn't used to hearing the male perspective in a book. I was thinking that this would be a great book for my guy friends, especially those who are reluctant readers, but honestly it's a great book for all genders and readers alike. As the story continued though, I realized how refreshing it is to be inside the mind of the opposite gender (every girl's dream, right?). I also appreciated the touch of romance in the book, especially since it correlated with how Andy solved one of his conflicts in the book. No spoilers, but it definitely made my heart melt.
The plot is insanely unique and interesting to read during a time of quarantine, because who could survive without technology at a time like this? After reading this fictional tale, you might change your mind about how much time you are spending on the internet during quarantine. Maybe Nick Spalding is on to something....
Hilarious read with a tongue in cheek look of our reliance on the digital world. Outlandish scenarios but they just add to the whole experience. My younger daughter has given up social media for Lent and discovered that most of it is so unnecessary and is particularly grateful in today's climate of coronavirus. We all know that moderation, as with everything, is the key. Easy enjoyable read, fun and a wake up call on how we all rely on the internet too much.
4 hilarious stars!
I didn't know this was the book I needed until I started reading it. THIS is what I needed to read at this point in my life. With the Coronavirus pandemic happening and taking up all of my brain space, this hilarious book was such a joy to read. Truly, a joy.
I typically do not read comedy books. Give me the option to read an intense, emotional family drama and I am always going to pick that book up. The problem that I have with most comedy books is....that I don't find most of the funny. I usually just find myself cringing.
UNTIL THIS. PEEPS. PEOPLE. PEEEEEEEEPPPPS. THIS BOOK IS LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY. LITERALLY. YOU WILL LAUGH OUT LOUD WHILE READING THIS.
Honestly, any book that starts with a good bathroom joke, I'm in. Nick Spalding knows that there is truly nothing funnier than bathroom humor. And there was quite a bit of it in this book so needless to say, I was crackkkkkkkkkking up.
Anyway, this book is about a dude that spends so much time on social media/the Internet that he starts having a number of health problems. His doctor recommends that he do a digital detox and that is where the bulk of the story lies. We follow Andy on his detox journey which is both hilarious and heartwarming.
Like I said earlier, I'm not one for comedy books, or heartwarming books for that matter either, but this book was exactly what I needed at this moment in my life.
I highly recommend you read this one. Especially if you're in need of a laugh!
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the ARC and wanting my honest opinion!
Now I'm off to download all of Nick's other books. TTYL!
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 just 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
Nick Spalding
4/23/20
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a light hearted laugh out loud book! It’s a quick get away since life right now has been stressful. Meet Andy Gallows, he is addicted to the internet, social media platforms and his phone. His diagnosis is to detox from the digital world. We follow Andy on his 60 day challenge of giving up his phone and internet. A task that is not as easy as it sounds.... Andy is a funny, witty like able character and I found myself rooting for him. I felt the ending was thought provoking and a bit philosophical.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazing Publishing for the Advanced Readers’ Copy of Logging Off in exchange for an honest review.
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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.
Logging Off
by Nick Spalding
Amazon Publishing UK
General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction
Pub Date 23 Apr 2020 | Archive Date 07 May 2020
Thanks to Amazon Publishing and Net Galley for my ARC. Quick read on how technology is effecting our day to day lives. Good read!
A farcical romp about a digital detox. An over-the-top tale of one mid-thirties male experiencing physical ailments that are attributed to his addiction of the digital lifestyle. Andy Bellows, a graphics designer, has a blow-out with his bowels during a presentation which among many, many other symptoms lead him to a visit with his doctor. The doctor determines that his various symptoms could be related to overuse of digital products and hands Andy a pamphlet on digital detoxing.
Andy shares this news with his close friend, Fergus, who is a journalist. With Andy's permission, Fergus writes a piece on Andy's detox which blossoms into a movement of it's own. An analog-version of Instagram, if you will. Andy now has followers of his detoxing.
What ensues is a little too much discussion of Andy's bowels throughout the pages. But also some funny situations arise as Andy must rely on his own sense of direction both physically and emotionally. This introvert is thrust into the world of actual people where he has to navigate without an app. This is a light, and sometimes comical read.
An early copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a must read! I literally laughed out loud at this hilarious story about Andy. The story is set in England and the main character, Andy, who is having many physical problems that are wreaking havoc on his life. Finally, Andy sees a doctor who suggests that Andy give up all social media for 60 days. The hilarious predicaments that Andy finds himself in as a result of "logging off" are delightful! I could not put this book down. I would recommend this excellent read to anyone who has thought they might spend a little too much time on social media. Also, anyone interested in a humorous, light read would love this book!
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
I have to chuckle as I write my electronic review on social media about Andy, who is trying to detox completely from his addiction to computer social media sites and all internet activities. His doctor has suggested this detox as a cure for Andy's multiple ailments.
This tongue-in-cheek chronicle follows Andy as he has to adapt to the world without his phone, Google, and all of the modern conveniences which the modern world provides. He has to learn to accept life on an "old fashioned" face-to-face basis. Will he be able to do this?
This book makes the reader realize that everyone's normal is different and we have to find the balance in the way we live our lives.
I ‘logged off’ after the birth of my second child when I found myself saying ‘just one second’ to my eldest a little too often as I scrolled through social media sites wasting endless hours of time.
For this reason any book about stepping away from social media/digital content resonates with me.
Having read novels from Nick Spalding in the past I was hoping for a light hearted, laugh out loud, read and this book didn’t disappoint. It was just what I needed in the current climate to unwind and relax. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the book held my interest.
Thank you to netgalley for providing my ARC in exchange for my review.
Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC of Logging Off in return for my honest review.
This book could not have come at a more perfect time! During this COVID-19 epidemic, the laughter the author provided was much needed! The very relevant topic needing to disengage from our phones and gadgets when life was "normal" is even more important now when we are secluded in our homes and being bombarded by constant news cycles. While it is difficult to turn away from the internet--Nick Spalding has provided the option by reading about Andy Bellows "logging off"
This is a fun, relaxing read for these stressful times!
I was able to preview this book thanks to Netgalley. This is the first book that I have read by Nick Spalding, and I enjoyed it. He has a way of writing comedy that really draws the reader into a situation as it is happening. Usually, I do not like when a fiction writer addresses the reader in a comedic way, but I thoroughly enjoyed when he did it in this book. I will say that there were several moments where some interactions felt hyperbolic and unrealistic, which took me out of the scene, and interrupted the narrative flow. There was also a possible scene that was seemingly foreshadowed but never actually took place. That felt like an opportunity for character arc that was underdeveloped. I don’t think it will be a spoiler if I just say, “parents,” since it is a minor part of the story. Overall, it was an easy read, and though it was predictable at some points, it had several moments of depth and philosophical clarity, specifically in relation to technological addiction and , that was redemptive.
On a personal note, I did feel inspired to put down my technology at several points during this book (ironic since I was reading it on my Kindle app), but then I remembered that we are all self-isolating and I would be giving up my only link to the outside world. Maybe when all of this is over, I’ll be “Logging Off” myself.
We live in a world where we have access to any information we want within seconds. Yes, this has made our lives more convenient but in living a more convenient and prepared life, have we begun to live a less adventurous one?
Alan Bellows has an addiction. He is addicted to the internet. His addiction has led him to live a life of having any and all information needed at just a few taps away. After suffering an embarrassing situation at a job interview, he visits his doctor who suggests a digital detox. Apparently all these aches, pains, poo problems, yes, poo problems, and sleepless nights he's been having are all linked to his addiction. Initially, Alan is extremely reluctant. How will he check the weather on all four of his weather apps before heading out? How will he do his food shop? How will he know which restaurant to order a take away from if he can't read their reviews or see their menu? I guess he's about to find out.
In this humourous book about living a life free of technology, Nick Spalding explores the type of life Alan Bellows (and us because I think there is probably a little bit of this character in all of us), could live when easy access to mostly irrelevant information is taken away from him.
One of the things I learnt from this book, because there are plenty of golden nuggets scattered between the ridiculous situations that Alan finds himself in, is that by disconnecting, we give ourselves room to be awed and surprised by the mysteries we invite in. Mysteries that will never appear if we continue to just Google it.
Andrew is obsessed with Facebook, Twitter and is constantly looking at his phone and playing computer games.
He visits his doctor regarding his health conditions, after googling and jumping to the conclusion that he has Cancer. The Doctor advises to have a “Digital Detox” This sounds easier than what it is, no more looking at weather apps before going out and even ordering food online is now a no go!!
I liked this book as we can all relate to Andrew, spending too much time on the internet, forever looking at our phones land at Facebook afraid we might be missing out on something!!
Next time you go out for a meal in a restaurant just look around at people who are on their phones rather than talking to one another!!
I loved all the characters, a very funny book that had me giggling to myself!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
I’m very pleasantly surprised by this book. I was fully prepared to not enjoy it, but I did!
It’s very cleverly written and the names for apps, websites and businesses are genius.
The book really made me think about my own life and technology, I think everyone should read it and then make up their own minds about their online use.
I’m off to read some more Nick Spalding..............
After having read a couple of dark police thrillers this book was a light relief.
My first by this author but will certainly add others of his to my want to read shelf.
This tells the story of someone who is advised by his doctor to take a digital detox and helped by his friend who also is a journalist who writes about it in his column making it difficult for him to give up. Story tells of his escapades of trying to negotiate trips without sat nav, being able to do research about places before visiting, meeting new people along the way and learning to just go with the flow.
Sort of a weird book to read during the lockdown where I am spending about 13 hours a day on my phone or laptop or Nintendo but Spalding books always make me laugh and I needed that.
I loved it. I laughed a lot. I related a lot to the subject and I almost even decided to google a detox for myself, but I will be sure to avoid the duck ponds for a while.
The characters in this book are likeable from the very beginning and there are so many laugh out loud moments throughout the thing meant I got exactly what I expected from it!
I LOVE that Nick Spalding references his other books in this book too, it's really smart, I love that he's building a universe for his own characters but also appreciate the effort that must take!
The book is a very solid 5/5 for me. A very easy to read funny book with a pretty sweet and sensible takeaway point right at the end.
Our hero, Andy Bellows, is addicted to electronic devices and the internet. The first thing he does each day and the last thing he does each evening is to attach himself to the world electronically. This activity is causing him medical problems serious enough to send him to the doctor. The doctor recommends disconnecting, much like AA members quit drinking and dry out. His friend is a writer for the local paper and takes it upon himself to write about Andy's withdrawal from the electronic world. This creates for Andy a following he does not want.
The book takes you through his life as he struggles mightily without the internet. The author visualizes how Andy's life will change, much of it for the better, but he also shows how responsible use of the internet can be useful and even a lifesaving. It is a well-written story, much of it amusing. I didn't find it laugh out loud funny, but I did find myself grinning in several places. My major complaint is the amount of time spent on Andy's bowel movements. Bathroom humor is not interesting to me.
I gave it three out of five stars because the plot is not particularly deep, the story is not hard to figure out even with a few twists and turns, and too much information about bowel movements. Discounting the bathroom humor, it is an enjoyable read with several funny parts, especially his first date set up through the newspaper personals. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Andy is a graphic designer who is way too reliant on technology. He spends his days on social media, the internet, and playing video games. He rarely even has to leave the house because he can order food online, meet dates on dating apps, and do all shopping online. Because of this, he hardly sleeps, has chronic neck pain, and has issues with going to the bathroom. When Andy goes to pitch a graphic design job things take a crazy turn for the worse, and he realizes he needs to make some changes. His doctor recommends a digital detox where he’ll log off of all technology for 60 days. Can Andy do it, and if so, will it be worth it?
This book has a great concept. I think most of us are reliant on social media, technology, and our smart phones. Personally, I think I spend way too much time on them, but don’t know if I could go as far as Andy did and cut them out completely for two months.
The book is definitely written with British humor and satire. Some of which was lost on me, but it did have some funny parts - driving without GPS and a duck pond come to mind! That was a funny scene. There were also some endearing parts mainly Andy’s relationship with Grace. I loved the part where they travel to Bath, and I’m glad they made a connection through him logging off.
I definitely think this is a book everyone who spends a lot of time online should read. It has a great message about balancing our lives between our digital selves and the real world.
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
In a time where technology seems to be everywhere, how easy would it really be to just unplug? The theme of this book is really relevant for today, with apps for just about everything. In fact, the book opens with the main character excited about finding an app that can help him track his bowel movements for his neverending gastrointestinal issues.
Unfortunately, for his health, our protagonist is told to quit technology cold turkey. He's a person who is very much connected, so naturally it's a struggle. Hijinks ensue.
It's a light, fluffy story for such a serious plot (society's overreliance on technology and the addiction it can cause in a person), but there were quite a few funny parts.
I struggled with connecting to the main character. I found him whiny, and a tad ridiculous at times. And the bathroom humor got old after awhile.
It's best to look at the story for no more than it is. There really isn't a deeper meaning, it's all right there. In fact, it beats you over the head with it. But it is quick, it's funny, and it does make you think... What could I find if I logged off?
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This book is about one man who is getting physically ill (ibs, backaches, insomnia, etc) from being online all the time so his doctor tells him to give up the internet. What follows is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. Most of us aren't going to be able to give up the internet due to it's necessity in our everyday lives, but this book made me think about how much time I spend online and what I could be doing better with that time.
Logging Off is my first read from Nick Spalding and I love him! The author draws the bitter truth of our generation’s obsession and addiction with technology and turned it into a story, both laugh out loud and thinkable. Sure technology is supposed to be “connecting” people, but its also main reason for many issues such as social anxiety. The book is about Andy, who tried to “detox” technology from his life by staying offline. Its a different and unique take on livelihood. I couldn’t imagine being offline, have no idea what that would do to me (an introvert here, sorry!). The story is relatable on many terms and I couldn’t say how much I loved the humour-thought provoking writing of the author! This is second book in this genre I have enjoyed this year, first being Bell Hammers by Lancelot Schaubert!
Thank you NetGalley, Nick Spalding and publisher for this wonderful read. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way!
This was a very interesting book. We follow Andy Bellows, technology addict and sufferer of several health problems because of it, as he goes through a digital detox. Obviously, there are lots of lessons learned along the way. The irony was not lost on me that I read this book on the Kindle app of my iPhone and found that several times I thought of something I needed to do or popped off the book into social media. We all have some addict in us! This was not the most sophisticated writing and was definitely British style humor, with far too many descriptions of bodily functions and perfectly ludicrous situations. I did enjoy a male narrator, which can be difficult to find in fiction, and I also really enjoyed the satire on our digital obsession as a culture. Spaulding explored many aspects, from the physical addiction to social medial influencers to how we portray ourselves online and how others' approval becomes so important. He hits the nail on the head with all of it. 2.5 stars overall.
Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC of this book - all opinions are my own.
This was a cute, funny little book and very relevant to the world we live in now. At times a little overboard on the cleverness, it went on a little long in parts unnecessarily, but the diversions were entertaining nonetheless. It won't blow your mind by any stretch, but it's got a good message and put a smile on my face. Thank you for the free advance copy, NetGalley!
Nick Spalding’s main character, Andy Bellow, a graphic designer, suffers from all the possible ailments that our digitally-integrated lives could give us – neck and back aches, a chronic need to stock up on juicy gossip and the latest updates from celebrities and influencers we follow on various social media sites, irritable bowel syndrome, sleeplessness, a general inability to navigate safely through a road or through a healthy dating life, and so it goes on.
On the recommendation of his doctor, he uncharacteristically decides to go on a digital detox for 2 months. His decision is chronicled in his best friend’s newspaper, and now there is no going back.
Does he succeed? If yes, how? If no, why? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
In “Logging Off”, Andy goes through many adventures in his sixty days, including understanding some of the real realities of Instagram influencers living lives that seem like a fairytale and going on a blind date with someone he met via an ad she placed in the newspaper. Armed with his singular love for flat whites (Howdy, sir!) and relatability, we are taken along for an adventure through the country of England. Near the end of the book, we are introduced to a conundrum to figure out as we enjoy our agonising solitude during this lockdown.
I loved the story of the book and it was intriguing to be in the mind of a 30-something. Though the premise of the book seems commonplace at first, it truly has some memorable moments in it. It was a bit too long-winded for my liking in certain places, but nevertheless, an enjoyable read.
I give this book 3.5 stars and recommend it to anyone pondering the true extent of control that our phones, laptops and e-readers have on us.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for giving me an e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
There's a certain irony about this being published just as most of us are finding ourselves more reliant than ever on social media and devices because we can't have face to face conversations with anyone except those already in our living space (or in the case of essential personnel, work space as well.). that said, Andy's effort to de-tech comes with a healthy dose of humor. You will recognize, no doubt, bits of yourself or someone you know in him. Spalding is a good storyteller and you'll find yourself chuckling. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a pleasant diversionary read.
So I really enjoyed the idea behind the book. I like the authors style of writing, but the main character Andy Bellows wasn't my favorite.
Andy Bellows is a a lot of pain. Between his IBS and lockjaw, he also is having troubles coming up with ideas for his graphic design business. The doctor he finds suggests a 60 day digital detox. To be honest, i think most of the world could use one, myself definitely included in that.
If you want a humorous book that so makes some really good points, go read this! Comes out April 23rd! 3.75 stars from me.
This was an amusing book about an almost middle aged man who discovers that his addiction to the internet is doing him no good. Following a visit to his GP he decides to detox.
I enjoyed this book. It is an extremely light book which takes only a couple of hours to read and while I didn't laugh out loud, I did smile a few times. The problem is there is too much that is unbelievable about it for me. The main character is 37 years old, yet appears to act like an adolescent in many ways. I found his obsession with following influencers quite incredible as this seems to me to be something for much younger people to be deluded by.
However it is a harmless enough book and lots of people will love it I'm sure. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you for Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book is utterly delightful and insightful.
It is about Andy Bellows, who is advised by his doctor to go on a tech detox to improve his health because he doesn't sleep, has pains and very interesting bowel movements (that last one is not my impression, Andy's bowels are actually very important to him and thus very important to this story, thank you very much).
He does go on said detox and I think you can probably guess what happens.
ABSOLUTE CHAOS.
I mean, I can absolutely relate and I don't even use the internet half as much as some of my friends. But a world without google? Without Instagram and maps and Whatsapp? And yes, even Goodreads... that just sounds EXHAUSTING.
And it is. But it's also so much better for Andy's general wellbeing. For one, he connects with his surroundings more. He also has to navigate a new city without an exact route on his phone. And he starts going on walks, gets more air and less sensory overload.
One positive about going on this detox: he meets the love of his life.
One negative about going on this detox: he has a friend at the local paper who wants to write about him. And Andy is way too socially awkward for that, isn't he? And what happens when he says yes and the article blows up and people suddenly want to meet him??
Well, I suggest you get yourself a copy of Logging Off and find out.
This novel is truly for every single one of us who uses their phone a tad more than necessary. It is a feel good novel, with lots and lots of laughter, romance, friendship and a very odd sense of a 21st century mind going "oh, same!" every couple of pages.
I laughed, I cried, it was lovely. And it even inspired me to leave my phone in the other room once in a while. Just to keep my concentration on things and people that matter in the moment instead of virtual notifications.
This book had a good premise but I found Spalding's writing laborious and infantile. The effort to come across as a stereotypical man made the book hard to read and did a disservice to men. However, I did enjoy the concept of the book and it made me think about my own behaviour regarding how much time I spend online. A quick read that doesn't take too much effort.
Is spending too much time with technology harmful to Andrew Bellows’ health and well being? On his doctor’s advice he logs off all technologies and the story takes off from there. Part humorous, part ridiculous, part insightful, and part heart warming, Logging Off adds up to a good read.
Andy is a graphic designer who is addicted to the Internet. After a business meeting goes horribly wrong with Andy both being unable to speak and making an emergency run to the bathroom, he visits his doctor.. The doctor advises Andy that his various physical - and psychological - ailments all boil down to one thing; too much time spent on the Internet. The doctor suggests a digital detox. Along the way of his detox Andy becomes a reluctant minor celebrity, meets an array of characters, and tries to find ways to fill his time other than being online.
While Andy is allowed to use the internet for business purposes, some of the decisions he makes about when to use it or not are questionable. In one instance he chooses not to use his phone to map out a route to an area he is unfamiliar with. This causes him to miss an important meeting, and he ends up with his car in the shop. How is using a digital map to get you to a business meeting not a business need?
You’ll also learn a lot about Andy’s bathroom habits and GI distresses. A. LOT.
This story is certainly relevant to the time we live in, but takes it to an extreme in some cases. Andy’s travails are funny and mostly charming (except the bathroom trips - have I mentioned this book spends an inordinate amount of time discussing Andy’s bathroom exploits?), and overall this was an enjoyable read, if you are willing to endure some suspension of disbelief.
Loved this book! Funny, honest, tells a great story and then ends with a life lesson we could all stand to follow!
3.5 stars, possibly 4.
Entertaining and funny book with some thought provoking moments about the impact of social media in our lives and also the use of and dependency on the internet in general.
In so many ways the internet makes things easier but with that ease comes some traps of real difficulty and overuse/dependency.
Fun read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this galley edition. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have read, I think, all of Nick Spaldings books so far and so was looking forward to this one for some more laugh out loud hilarity. It certainly had its moments, but it didn't quite live up to the hype I had given it in my own head. At first, it's a bit annoying, to be honest - nobody is that useless, surely? Luckily the pace picks up and the connection with the hero becomes more stable and I started to like him better. If there are people out there this horrifically dependent on social media,
Spalding has a light touch, can draw pictures with words that have you giggling and comes up with clever concepts, it's just a shame he pushed this one to an unlikely extreme that is less relatable than his previous novels.
Did not finish. I didn't feel it was humorous at all and just seemed to drag on. Gave up after 30% of the book.
i was given this ARC from publisher and netgalley for an honest opinion and feedback
Do you use the internet to much? are you constantly flipping thru instragram, facebook, and emails?
that is what the story about, a doctor tells the main character to go to a digital detox to help alleviate his problems of not sleeping and other issues.
just the thought of this makes it scary to me. Andy actually is able to focus more on his surroundings, connecting with people and feeling better about himself. And of course there is love in the book
i enjoyed the book. it was a very quick read. i had plenty of laughable moments.
A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is not my usual genre, I’m more into romance stories and girlie books therefore am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.
I enjoyed this very much. 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Logging Off is about a man's digital detox journey. At the start of the novel, Andy, the main character, experiences some sort of nervous breakdown that leads him to do a digital detox for 60 days. During this period, he meets a lot of interesting characters and finds himself in situations he never thought he'd be in.
The novel started off really slow for me, and I found the triggering event for Andy to do a detox to be lacking. It's just like having one really bad day at work -- not something that would warrant a solution as extreme as a 60-day digital detox. However, I enjoyed the story once the character of Grace is introduced. Her personality added a nice balance to Andy's, which is quite immature and pessimistic. I also liked how the story came to a close, which is very realistic to Andy's situation.
Overall, I would recommend this if you're looking for a light, fun read.
A timely topic: online addict suffers physical ailments directly related to too much on-screen time. When Andy's doctor suggests a 2-month digital detox, he's pretty sure that'll be impossible. Through a series of positive reinforcements, he soldiers on and even gains a following.
A light, entertaining read, but dated by current media.
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.
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.
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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.
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
Publisher’s description: 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 analogue 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?
************
Nick Spalding’s “Logging Off” is one of those books that I had to think about for a couple of days before I reviewed it. For me, it wasn’t “laugh-out-loud” funny and I had a hard time figuring out why Andy Bellows is sooooo obsessed with his poop, but the book did make me smile and shake my head a lot, and I really liked the ending.
In a world where access to information is instantaneous, where there’s an app for everything, I have found myself many times wondering why we all spend so much time with our faces in our devices and trying to remember how we got anything accomplished before the rise of the Internet. (And yes, I absolutely see the irony of reviewing this book on my iPhone after having read a digital copy on my Kindle.) We have become so connected through our devices that we have disconnected from the world around us, and Andy Bellows is feeling the physical consequences of being a slave to his digital addiction.
Andy’s doctor recommends a digital detox, and yes it’s a real thing. What this book details is Andy’s difficult attempt to log off. The results are downright ridiculous, but the point is to demonstrate how dependent we are on technology. I mean, does anyone get a phone book anymore to look up the number of the local pizza place?
Andy clearly would have given up the fight if it weren’t for his friend Fergus writing an article (or two or three) about Andy’s detox. Fergus basically made Andy the figurehead of the local digital detox movement, and Andy, a major introvert, didn’t like it one bit.
This is a fun read. It’s heartwarming at times, and a bit gross at times because of Andy’s focus on his poop. The more I think about it, the more Andy reminds me of Greg Heffley from Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, just all grown up and still getting himself into really bizarre situations.
All in all, not a bad way to spend some quarantine time. ;-)
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This title will be available on April 23, 2020.
A humorous look at a man trying to improve his health by stopping his use of digital technology.
He rediscovers various joys from before his dependence on his phone, tablet and computer. Face to face conversations and wandering in a new city without a map are exciting experiences for him.
What he avoids is finding a healthy balance. But I guess it would have made for less humor.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
~~~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.
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.
Thank you for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
I have read one of the authors previous books & enjoyed it - but this felt a little more manic and laboured, for me personally. I know the initial set up needed to have that feel, but it felt a caricature - and I didn’t feel I wanted to care about Andy.
Just not for me this time.
Relevant, humorous and a bit irreverent: very good read👍
4.5🌟stars 🔌📱
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.
At times hysterically funny
At other times irritating as!
Andy needs to ‘log off’ from the internet and social media and get his life in order, this all comes to a head when he goes to ‘sell his wares’ as a graphic designer to a ‘hip and happening’ company, to say he has a meltdown is an understatement and he decides after a trip to the Dr’s that ‘giving it all up’ is for him
The book then charts his success on his 60 day detox in this very 121 author to reader chat style read and as said some of it is nothing short of LOL ribald hilarious.....the trip to Bath, the dog ‘incident’ and the blind date all farcically brilliant
I am not sure why then some of it was irritating,but it was.....maybe the break neck speed of the book?, it really doesn’t stop from the first to the last word or maybe because some of it was too truthful re how the internet and social media takes up all our lives ( although of course especially now this is a blessing, in fact its probably not the best time to release this book when everyone is now relying on it for our sanity ) maybe because he talks a lot about his irritable bowel ( referenced ALL the time ) l honestly am not sure
It’s not a relaxing read but it is a quick read that will make you think, laugh and happily move on to your next read but all in all you will enjoy it, mostly
I read about the author after reading this book and he has a big back catalogue with some I would like to read and the style of this book looks to be his style of writing in all books
7/10
3 Stars
A prescient warning in a very humorous way that we all need to take a step back from our digital lives at times. This was very amusing & relatable story as we all know someone like Andy and also can see shades of ourselves in his life during every stage of his chaotic detox. Spalding has created characters & situations that you can laugh out loud at which is something that is desperately needed in current times.
This was the first book I had read by the author and on the strength of the quality of the writing, I will certainly look out for more.
A book that I found mildly amusing, but not really to my taste. - But hey, I'm an old f*rt and not really that into technology.
A modern-day view of technology and how it affects us all, especially the downsides. The book was well written, the central character well rounded and quite credible. I'm sure we all know someone like Andy.
If you are suffering from the pressures of IT overload, you may well enjoy this. Indeed, you may well ask yourself if you could 'detox' this way? Could you go the way of Andy and go offline: even for a short while? My bet is that you couldn't!
In our world of instant communications, information overload, connected devices and online communities have we become slaves to the relentless appetite of the internet? Are we addicted to data? Nick Spalding has a formula for taking many of these real-world (and often sensitive) issues and building an entertaining and thought-provoking story around it. In Logging Off Nick Spalding poses this particular scenario when his main protagonist, Andy Bellows, suddenly finds himself in the middle of a client presentation and his body goes into a breakdown with his jaws locking, his speech slurring and his vision disturbed.
When his doctor checks him he suggests that the episode may be a result of obsessive online activity and his body is not resting enough at night. The doctor suggests that for two months he logs off all online social platforms and doesn’t use any computer technology except that for work and only emails as a means of communication. Andy meets his best friend Fergus to tell him about his new plan and seek some moral support. What he gets from his friend, the editor and journalist of the local newspaper, is:
“Fergus also smiles. ‘And this ginger twat is going to help you do it.’ ‘Really? How?’ ‘I’m going to write a story about you for the paper.’ ‘No you’re bloody not.’ ‘Yes, I bloody am.’ ‘No, Fergus. You really bloody are not.”
Fergus wins Andy round as it also ensures Andy has an added incentive to stick to the challenge. As the news circulates, an array of colourful characters are drawn into the story. Andy forms an oldfashioned group of similarly concerned internet addicts who meet weekly at a local cafe. Each has their own background and life story to tell, and there is always someone you can relate to. One of the people Andy meets is Grace, the owner of the cafe, who has her own issues and as they both deal with everything they are facing, they develop an endearing friendship – hmmm, maybe something stronger.
While this is a repeatable formula from Nick Spalding and initially I felt that I could almost describe how the story would unwind, it is worth pointing out that Nick has developed a winning formula. The humour throughout the narrative is extremely entertaining and engaging. His main character is often hapless which helps expose many issues in more dramatic form. Nothing is ever plain sailing as that wouldn’t help with the insights that often come through – yes life is difficult, there are ups and downs, but learn to address the challenges and enjoy the good moments whenever possible.
As a daily user of Goodreads, Twitter and other social media platforms, the message coming out from this book is to Log Off, and that fills me with unease. I’m still a software engineer at heart and the owner of a medical software company and this is all part of my life. But am I addicted? Try leaving it alone and see if you have withdrawal symptoms. The sense of this book and in life is balance. When we tend to become obsessed or addicted to any facet of our lives we lose connection with other important aspects. The ultimate message is not about Logging Off Completely but Logging Off Sometimes.
I will continue to read Nick Spalding for the sheer entertainment factor but credit for also making us look at ourselves with the cleverly crafted life message. I would recommend this book and I would like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy in return for an honest review.
Logging Off is the story of Andy Bellows, internet/technology/online gaming/social media addict. When his Doctor diagnoses that his numerous physical ailments can all be attributed to his internet addiction and recommends a detox, Andy thinks it's a ridiculous idea. Certainly something he could never cope with. But he decides to give it a go and within hours is hating it, absolutely determined that he's giving up.
What follows is a comical almost slapstick narrative of disaster, embarrassment, confusion and frustration as Andy tries to navigate his now analogue life.
The concept of the book is really good - we could all do with a digital detox I'm sure! But unfortunately I found Andy's character, his experiences and the things he says and does irritatingly cringe-worthy and annoying. His innate habit of repeating what has been said to him had me rolling my eyes - and once you've noticed it, it's hard to ignore!
Towards the end of Logged Off, the book overlaps to a scene from Dumped Actually and I thought this was quite well done. Maybe there are more references to Nick's other books in there that I missed, I'm not sure.
Nick Spalding is obviously a good writer and is able to write good literary humour which I'm sure is well received by his target audience. But after reading Logging Off and Dumped Actually a few months back, I've realised that his work is just not for me unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nick Spalding and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Quite an apt title for the book giving its something we should all perhaps being doing given our somewhat over dependence of gadgets and the internet! I am a massive fan of the author and I thought there would be a little more humour in the book than there was, although when it came I did literally LOL! I liked how it managed to tie in too with one of the author's other books - nice touch!
However, given we are in a current lockdown situation, its definitely a good book to read to fend off the boredom or as an alternative to being on your gadgets... well unless reading it on your device!
Thanks to NetGalley for a pre-published copy of Logging Off. In exchange their only request is an honest review.
How ironic is it that this book should be about our dependence on the internet, social media, gaming etc for our news and entertainment as we are in the midst of COVID 19 pandemic? Protagonist Andy Bellows is sure he has a life threatening disease only to find out that he is having physical reactions to his digital addictions. His doctor provides him with a pamphlet on digital detoxification and recommends that Andy take 60 days to detox from everything other than work emails. What ensues during the next 60 days will make you laugh out loud but also make you stop and think about the benefits of living an analogue life. Take a break from your own digital addiction and escape into Andy’s world for a while. Who knows, you may decide to do a detox of your 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 was recommended, so I thought give it a try. I really enjoyed it. The first chapter as he explained his day was eye opening. Just how much of my day is spent online? The characters were fun and a little quirky. (Wilberforce and his dog!). But the idea now of setting off without a phone or GPS to travel seems scary. Yes, I can use a map, but a nice lady tells me where to go! Try a restaurant without a review or menu first? Definitely a book to make you examine your habits. Could you do it?
* Amazing book – I could not put it down, but then reminded myself that I did not want to end up needing a tech detox (like the hero) and finished it on day 2 ! 😃
Hilarious, satirical and absolutely adorable! 💖 The author has taken a contemporary topic like tech addiction and brought a very fresh look at surviving in the 21st century without the help of modern tech. The romantic angle too, is delightful without seeming forced!
Highly recommend! Looking forward to read other books by this author!
Delighted to recieve this book as an ARC from @netgalley .
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review of this book. Andy is addicted to technology and it's starting to affect his health and social life. He decides with advice from his doctor to take a 60 day detox off of all of his media. Cute, light read. #loggingoff #netgalley
Greatly enjoyed this book. I was given a copy for my honest review.
Nick Spalding wrote a very funny book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Had many a chuckle throughout. The added bonus with this book was it really delivered a message to me on life in general. It was a "ain't that the truth message" for me. Hope it is for many others.
I look forward to reading more from Nick Spalding!
Another fab nick spalding read, you know exactly what you are getting with his reads, you laugh a lot, I know I do, loved it
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This book resonates so well with modern life. It was realistic and very enjoyable, So many young people and increasingly older people are entirely addicted to their mobile phones. They portray spectacular lives, full of adventure and opulence on Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, etc, when in reality they struggle to say two words to those the live with. They, like Andy in this book, panic if they realise they have left the house without their phone. A detox is required, necessary, urgent. This was a good book, very thought provoking at times, and contains descriptions that most of us can relate to. It was funny and very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.
What a book - I've never read anything by this author before and this genre of novel is not usually my first pick but I am so glad I received a review copy, thank you Nick Spalding and Net Galley.
This novel felt so right for the times we are living in and in a light hearted way really did make me think about the way I live my life and how technology is affecting everyone day to day whether we realise it or not.
I really liked Andy Bellows, as unlikeable as he sometimes was with his graphic descriptions of things I'd usually prefer less graphic - I found myself increasingly warming to him and cheering him on. I also felt a real connection to Fergus as his best friend.
I'd urge anyone who could do with a smile and a heartwarming tale to give this a go. I will certainly be looking into more books by this author.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
‘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.
A very timely read. I think the topic is a very relevant and attractive one for a wide range of readers, as digital maladies, distraction, and even addiction affect many.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, and the fact that it delved somewhat into the challenges of doing a digital detox (though I wish the book had explored that a bit more. Andy seemed to dislike being on his, but didn't delve too deeply into why he was having the struggles or have him go through any relapses.)
I think the part I most struggled with was the satire approach, which felt a bit overdone to me at times. Instead of leaning into the psychology of what Andy was thinking, we got a series of his wacky adventures. These adventures happened ostensibly because he wasn't using tech, but didn't really have anything to do with his detox. I guess it felt like the wackiness was being played up in favor of actually giving the characters depth. (Like how did Grace's detox go for her? We never really know. Instead we got a wacky locket adventure.)
However, I guess if you sign up for a satirical approach to digital detoxes, this is the book you'd expect to read. I think my not loving it was more of it not being a match for my personal taste.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
requested this book on NetGalley to take me out of my comfort zone, as it’s not something that I’d usually find myself reading. It was the blurb which really struck a chord with me, particularly because I think I could do with a detox.
The story is entertainingly written, as we follow Andy navigating his technological detox, as a way to improve his health. The witty incident at the beginning really sucked me in - it had me laughing at Nick and cringing for him, all at the same time.
I could really relate to some of the moments in this book and I laughed at the absurdity of doing it, even though you do it (such as googling symptoms). I love that Spalding makes his reader really question the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of technology and the positive and negative impacts that is has on you and your life. It reminds you that balance is important, but I found it ironic that I was reading it (on my Kindle) during “Lockdown” and how reliant on the internet I am - not just to use it socially, but to work from home too. It made me question the role that the internet will play in my life, once this pandemic is over and I can imaging others doing the same: will people rely on it as much as normal or will they be over it, from using it too much? It has provided food for thought.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review.
We are a generation filled with technology; the latest mobile phone, tablet or gaming devices are released annually to improve their predecessors. The boom of social media through the last 10 years can be viewed a good and bad thing. Relatives and friends around the world can connect with each other via Facebook/Instagram and the development of Whatsapp and the likes means sending a message can be ever so easy whilst avoiding the awkward wake-up to coincide a time zone.
The downfall, people are more reliant on their technology. Majority will have an internet capable device; most will have an account to the main social media giants, and everyone has mindless scrolled through a page. Parents are worried that exposure to technology at a young age can affect children’s development. The social and cognitive skills learnt whilst spending the playtime running around and playing with Velcro vegetables and plastic cars could be gone. As they approach adolescence the increase stress of trying to fit into the norm is apparent. Being online is becoming the new standard – texting, sharing, trolling to scrolling, everyone is filling every minute of time on the world wide web. As social media grows the mental wellbeing issues are growing as well. Mental wellbeing issues will affect everyone at least once in their lives.
With a click of a button we can find out about the latest news, weather and what celebrity ate for dinner. The digital world is an incredible but dangerous thing. A lot of people are now trying to wean themselves of social media – people are now deleting their Facebook accounts, reducing time spent on phones and mobile tech companies including screen time analytics.
Some are giving themselves digital detoxes. Removing themselves of the digital world for a period to clear their mental and physical states. In Logging Off by Nick Spalding we find Andy doing that exact thing. Andy freelance graphic designer is addicted to the digital world but after countless health issues, his remedy a digital detox as prescribed by his GP. Remove every digital thing in your life for 60 days unless it is essential for work. This will not be an easy ride, but can Andy complete a mere 60 days?
This book is so relatable on many different levels, I found myself reflecting on Andy’s character and questioning myself on my daily habits and becoming aware on the time spent on social media. Nick writes with ease and I was able to get into the books very quickly. I hope everyone will read this book, it’s a great story and also a reflective one, especially in this social era.
I received an advance digital copy of this book from the author, publisher and Netgalley.co.uk.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book has so many wonderful reviews, I unfortunately did not enjoy it. I loved the message this book was trying to convey. We truly do spend way too much time on our phones and other electronics. I personally just thought this book wasn’t for me. But, I would recommend it, based on how many positive reviews it has!
A quick easy read. I laughed at some of it. But some of it was was not my sense of humour. Maybe it is time for us to think about using our phones and iPads less.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.
I wouldn’t say this book was great, but it was a good, easy read. Definitely found myself cheering for the main character, while also rolling my eyes at him just as often. I think the topic of this book is one most of us can relate too. Read it!
Andy Bellows is so addicted to his electronic devices he has become physically ill. His physician diagnoses his symptoms and recommends a complete detoxification of any and all electronic devices for two months. Andy doesn’t think he can do it, but is grudgingly willing to give it a go.
Fergus, Andy’s best friend, is a columnist for the local newspaper. He jumps on the story, persuading Andy to let him chronical the detox for his readers. Thinking it may be a good way to stay on track, Andy agrees, but soon regrets his decision as he quickly becomes a local icon and reluctant hero for logging off all electronics except using his computer for work.
Almost immediately, Andy realizes he cannot navigate with a paper map, cannot order dinner and must learn to cook and shop at an actual store to survive. Not to mention he has to become part of society again by interacting with people via phone and in person. All of this causes anxiety and worry for him, but he is sleeping better, has actually started to talk to real, live people again and his work has improved because he has logged off. But in the end, he discovers that electronics aren’t all bad, perhaps moderation is the key– but is that possible?
This fast-paced funny romp with Bellows and his detox troubles hit close to home for many readers. His reliance on his cell phone is the norm these days. Who doesn’t use GPS, look up restaurants, shop and play a bit of solitaire or not to mention social media like Facebook and Twitter? The detox recommended is extreme, but most of us could easily stop glancing at our phones every two minutes and panicking when we’ve left it at home while out on a walk.
I loved this book and the laugh out loud humor Spalding delivers. It is the first book I’ve read by him, but certainly not the first he has written. This bestselling author has fifteen novels, two novellas and not one, but two memoirs. You can be sure I’m going to add Nick Spalding’s other work to the top of my reading list.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2020 Laura Hartman
This is about the fifth book I’ve read from this author, having loved my first, Dry Hard, and the rest progressively less. There’s definitely a formula - neurotic Everyman takes on a daunting challenge while being followed by some form of media, discovering heart-warming home truths and usually love in the process.
There’s also generally a combination of distinctly puerile comedy and a serious topic that at least gets you thinking at least. They’re quick easy reads and Spalding has an engaging style if you don’t mind the first person present narration.
Andy Bellows, a 36 year old single graphic designer somewhere in Southern England, is a stressed out hypochondriac who is overly dependent on social media and the internet. When his doctor suggests a digital detox, he is appalled, but his best friend, a journalist, persuades him it’ll make a good story, and with raging irritable bowel syndrome, neck pain and bruxism making his life miserable, he agrees to try stopping all non-work-related Internet use for two months. Initially this leads him into some amusing debacles, but will his new-found appreciation for the simple life be enough to hold the course?
It’s deeply ironic to have read this while most of the world are in lockdown from the Covid-19 pandemic and for many the Internet is the only thing that’s made it bearable, so I don’t see this book convincing many people of the benefits of giving it up any time soon. It did make me think about my own level of dependence - I look at GoodReads, Facebook, my emails and news sites multiple times a day, including first thing when I wake up, but have zero interest in celebrities, games or influencers and the only individuals I follow are authors. It would certainly not hurt to cut down on opinion pieces and the comments that follow, and certain groups on Facebook that attract a certain kind of negativity that invariably winds me up, so I’m grateful to the author for making me confront this.
I did not find this one anywhere near as funny as his previous books - there was way too much toilet humour - he’s a big fan of poo jokes - and the slapstick comedy, including humping dogs and people getting stuck in windows did nothing for me either. Andy took a long time for me to warm to, although I enjoyed his eventual maturation and enlightenment and the romance was cute. By coincidence, we watched a TV show set in Bath this week that had already confirmed that it’s somewhere I really must visit one day, and added to that resolution.
Overall this was a light read with a message that was fairly obvious from an author who can be laugh out loud funny at times, but missed the mark with this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon UK Publishing for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Logging Off is available now.
Andy is addicted to social media and all things digital. He is feeling stressed out trying to fit it in. Meanwhile real life is not good. His work is not going well and he suffers from a series of health issues. When his doctor prescribes a 2 month digital detox to address his health issues, Andy is terrified. How will he be able to cope without the Internet?
Anyone who uses social media will be familiar with elements of Andy's technology addiction. The thought of never using the Internet again would fill most of us with horror. Reading this during Covid-19 lock down has an added dimension. Technology has kept the country connected.
Thanks #Netgalley for the Arc and give an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book that I got from NetGalley. It follows a man named Andy Bellows who is suffering from neck pain, back pain, bad eyesight, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and lockjaw. His doctor recommends that he take a break from technology and allow his body time to heal. Through his journey, Andy meets others who, for one reason or another, want to take a break from technology. One of his good friends is a reporter and spreads the story of him and his “logging off” which starts a movement of people who want Andy to lead them in starting their own detox from technology.
For some people, the crude kind of humor used in the book might be off-putting. But for me it was a wonderful thing and had me laughing my way through the book! I enjoyed how the modern people at his job, where he first experiences the lockjaw, begin to even talk like him, as if he was doing it on purpose to make a statement, showing just how into their own lives people can be, that they are blinded to anything that has nothing to do with them.
After reading a streak of books that either were a low rating, or were more on the serious side, it was wonderful to really take a break for this book. It really showed how easy it is to miss out on real life by being so buried in technology. You can be so into technology that just like two people in the book, you can go out to eat with someone and never once speak or look at each other, instead focusing solely on the phone in your hand. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a humorous look at technology, but keep it to adults instead of kids due to the type of humor used.
Cute story about a guy who somehow gets talked into staying off his phone for a long period of time and how life unfolds along the way. The first 20% of the book seems a bit like filler, and all the poop talk is not endearing, but otherwise it was a decent read. The very British response to instant fame is funny.
Logging Off is a fun novel about our over reliance on social media and what it means to walk away. I enjoyed this story and its characters. I laughed quite a bit throughout. It made me think about analyzing what we see online and taking it with a grain of salt -- something I already knew, but the author dives into great examples that will make you want to revisit who you are following and why.
Logging Off was a modern tale of the woes associated with the chronic abuse of technology. Andy's life revolved around technology, until one day, it impacted his health and his only choice was to log off. This tale is told in a humorous and lighthearted way, while having our society's obsession with technology, and our depersonalization, hit home. I laughed at ths obscurity of the situations Andy found himself in while I rooted for his success in his detox. An excellent read for anyone who needs to log off, or just needs a good chuckle.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley! The timing was perfect with the current pandemic and extra time on my hands!!!
This is a lighthearted, comical read that I did enjoy. With that being said, my own personal digital experience is limited as the only thing I'm addicted to digitally is my kindle and Goodreads!
Overall, this was an easy going read, however I thought the characters were lacking, the events throughout the story were either over detailed (driving on the B roads of England and IBS) or lacking of details (dinner at his home with his "friend").
I did enjoy it, but it will be quickly forgotten and not a book I would encouragingly recommend. It is definitely a laugh out loud read though!
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and pretty easy read that had me laughing out loud in more than a few places! It was definitely bit of a wake up call to how much we rely on phones and started a very interesting conversation in my house about how much we use our phones and how we are going to try and change that!
Logging Off is the latest offering from Nick Spalding and tells the story of Andy Bellows, a man who is suffering from too many ailments to mention and the cause? Too much use of technology and social media meaning his doctor recommends him to undertake a digital detox for 60 days.
As I’m sure we can all relate, social media and technology is such a big part of our lives now that the simple message from this book is to log off and take time out to notice the world happening around us. I too am guilty of spending too much time ‘connected’ but can also see how the world can no longer exist completely without the use of some technology.
Overall it is a well written book that is an easy read, however I did find myself losing patience with the main character on numerous occasions and, to be honest, there is only so many times someone telling you about their toilet habits is funny, this just became irritating and irrelevant to the story. Also I can’t see how the ‘random’ things that happen to him are purely due to not using technology, just more a case of bad luck!
A quick read with an interesting concept that does make you consider your own ability to “log off”!!!
Instagram: @somethingaboutbooks23
Nick Spalding never fails to deliver. Logging Off had the usual Spalding wit and humor and I really enjoyed the serious note to this book. Are we addicted to technology? I'm the first to put my hand up and say that I always start my day by checking emails and my social media. I often find myself checking things on my phone and will always txt instead of having an actual phone conversation with someone.
Andy is struggling with a whole host of health issues. He's got IBS, neck pain, lack of sleep etc and upon consulting the Internet discovers he could have all manner of illnesses. Fearing the worst he decides to visit his doctor for a diagnosis. What he actually is suffering from is too much screen time and the remedy is a 2 month digital detox. This is a scary thought. Can he go 2 months without using any devices? With the help of his friend Fergus he gives it a go and has his fair share of hilarious ups and downs.
If you like a bit of comedy in your reading then I really do recommend giving Nick Spaldings books a try. He really knows how to write comedy. The story was good although slightly crazy at times and really highlighted the issues (good and bad) that surround technology and social media.
I haven't laughed so much reading a book in ages. Andy is advised by his GP to detox from all online activities except those crucial to work, in order to get rid of all his health issues. He decides to try it for 2 months. He never expects to become a hero to many, leading a movement against social media etc. Brilliantly written, hard to put down to see if he sticks at his plan, if it works and if his romance will develop.
Really enjoyed this. Great writing, humorous but also actually made me really think and I've since started restricting my social media use and trying to spend less time scrolling sites etc. Definitely sleeping better and have realised that I actually don't miss out on anything if I check social media every couple of hours instead of constantly. Great book.
It wasn't my kind of book. After the first few chapters, I stopped reading. I just couldn't get into it.
This book uses the main character’s inner self talk as dialogue, That method fits the solitary life he has as a graphic designer. But after the first chapter of one graphic description of IBS after yet another, I was not inclined to continue but wondered what the point of all that would be. Alas, I finished the book with regret of my time invested.
This is the first Nick Spalding book I've read. To be honest, it took me a couple of chapters to get into the story. The protagonist starts off so self-absorbed and so focused on the function and malfunction of his GI tract that I was put off. But I suppose that was partly the point: we will see Andy's maturation as he undergoes his digital detox.
The message of the book (about balance in one's digital and "real" life) is humorously presented. There's some slapstick and a lot of "poo" humor. There's also a lot of sweetness as Andy interacts with his best friend, new girlfriend and newly logged off acquaintances.
Overall the book was a lot of fun, and I will be checking out other works by Spalding.
I couldn't help but reflect on the "Logging Off" irony, having downloaded the ebook to read on my Kindle.
Do you ever wonder if you're addicted to your device? Do you even take into the bathroom with you? Could you go 60 days without use your device? That is what Andy Bellows did because using his device constantly was making him physically ill.
Logging Off by Nick Spalding made me laugh out loud many times throughout the book. It is easily relatable to almost any age group. It made think about how life would be different without the use of my cellphone or my laptop. Of course, I grew up without all of this technology, but I can't even imagine life without my GPS these days. How would I order online everything I need? Spalding takes us through the adventures of what that life would be like for you.
I liked the humor in this book. It did drag on for me in places, but if you need a good light-hearted read, this would be a good book for you.
This was a funny and insightful look into life in the digital age. As someone who can't even watch television without a second screen nearby (what if I need to look up the past work of one of the characters?!) I definitely resonated with Andy's struggle. I think this book would make a brilliant and funny movie (and I do not say that about every book I enjoy - some things are best left to the page.)
Excellent and laugh out loud funny. We all rely too much on our online lives and I found this a highly relatable book in some senses. Add in the hilarity that ensues when dealing with an offline world and i couldn't put this book down.
This novel features Andy Bellows who is, I guess, the quintessential modern man. He is totally self obsessed in addition to being addicted to digital media. He suffers from a plethora of physical ailments due to his addiction and is put on a digital detox program by his doc to recover.
There were plenty of laugh out loud moments, but mostly it was silly and over the top with far too many descriptions of bodily functions.
I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Amazon Publishing UK, in exchange for an honest review.
"Life is about finding your balance. No matter how hard it is to get there." 📖 Logging Off by Nick Spalding
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4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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My review:
I received this book as an requested ARC by NetGalley. And I must say I'm glad I did.
I had a blast reading it, is definitely one that will get you laughing out loud.
It truly got me thinking about technology these days, especially social media.
I have to say the first couple of chapters has slow for me, but when the detox came around I was hooked. Normally I don't enjoy very specific details, (that I find common on this book) but this one was something different and I really did like it.
Andy Bellows, is dying, well at least he thinks he is dying according to his latest google searches. This is when he decides to seek medical care...the diagnosis...digital detox. This is the journey of Andy rediscovering life beyond the screen. He comes to terms with who he is, who he thought he was and who he wants to be. Logging Off is a fun read, with hysterical twists and turns.
I enjoyed reading this book, it was a quick read with a fun, yet realistic plot. It was a little bit of an eye opener to how much we depend on phones and technology, and just how much we can see if we look up every once in a while.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy of Logging Off.
This is a witty, clever story. I giggled out loud every few pages.
This topic could have been a boring tale of events regarding someone quitting online use, but it was interesting and funny because of the author’s sense of humor.
I found it quite eyeopening as to how much I am reliant on the internet - for everything!! And how much the world is is reliant on the internet. Should I log off?
Brace yourself for a silly, quirky read.
A pleasant, funny story. I needed this laugh out loud book.
What a fantastic book! I was literally crying with laugther from the beginning to the end.
Andy is addicted to the Internet: twitter, facebook, online games... and this is starting to alter his everyday life. So, with the help of a friend, he starts a 60-day digital detox, facing hilarious situations.
Totally recommendable if you want a good laugh.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion **
I absolutely loved this book!! It's been a looong time since a book had me burst into laughter spontaneously. I'll be sure to look out for the writer's other books. The writing is brilliant, witty, and sharp. Andy Bellows has me convinced that logging off has its benefits even if it means having to talk to a duck.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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.
I have enjoyed Nick Spalding books in the past and this was no exception.
Laugh out loud funny and enjoyable.
Easy to read
And I could relate with the subject of too much time on social media and the detox.
Definitely recommend
Overall this was a great read. I absolutely love British humor and found myself smiling a lot while reading. Hooked from the first page , he’s amazed at an app that records your bowel movements. I cracked up at that.
I’m so glad I was able to get a copy of this from the publisher.
I feel personally attacked by the accuracy this book gives. We are in such a technology driven era where we need our dopamine hits from likes and comments on social media. The author hit the nail on the head when it comes to how we navigate through life based on social preferences and how it effects our lives.
Andy Bowers is the hero we all need. He's sick and struggling with life. And we are along for the ride. In his attempt to get better, he follows a strict "Logging Off regimen. During the journey he keeps his sense of humor through all the foibles and falls. We cheer for him to succeed while wondering if we could do the same. This was a joy to read. His dry wit accompanied by a very real "first world problem make it an easy, engrossing read. Highly recommend. #netgalley #netgalleyreview #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer
This book is laugh out loud funny! And somehow, it's perfect for the times within which we are all now existing. The social distancing we're experiencing alone would make it appropriate but it's the writing that got me:) Definitely give it a try---sooner rather than later.
Logging off is a fun, funny journey of turning off the devices in our lives and reconnecting in person. I found a lot of truth in this story and it was fun to laugh at yourself and the many ways we use technology to be disconnected to real people.
Andy has heath issues and he is shocked by the doctors recommendation - detox for technology. So he goes down this journey and finds along the way people seeking the same help.
Will Andy’s health improve? Can Andy give up social media forever? Can he meet anyone with out dating apps?
Truly enjoyed this story! Makes you think about your own internet activity.
Thanks for complimentary copy Netgalley. Thoughts and opinions are my own
Hilarious thought provoking so entertaining.In this age of technology this is a read we can all relate to.The idea of logging off changing your life kept me turning the pages laughing all the way.#netgalley#logging off.
Such a funny look at today’s society and how social media has really taken over our way of life! The premise is I think a little exaggerated, but intentionally so. I have to admit that several times throughout the book, I wondered if I could make it without using any devices, and I don’t think I could, but, I think this book made me realize that it would be good to cut back. While making me laugh through it.
With the social isolation we are all dealing with now through the pandemic, I think many of us are feeling the need to connect more, and social media is helping us through. At the same time, some of us are also realizing that a more simple way of life might be not such a bad idea.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amazonpublishing UK for the ARC.
I needed to read this as I am too addicted to my phone! While this is a satire (at least I hope it is!) There was a good lesson.
Andy Bellows is a normal guy who, like a lot of people, is addicted to social media. I mean really addicted. (he makes me look tame!). One day his body just starts to break down. Almost as if he is having a stroke. He is suffering from OOA, Obessive Online Activity. The cure, two months with no social media and no use of computers except for business. His friends are so shocked that he is doing this, his one friend Fergus is so impressed that he is going to use Andy's experience to write a story.
This is the first Nick Spalding book I have read and now I have to read more of his books! I love how he brings his characters to life! He is able to get a very important message through but in a fun and eye opening way. Andy represents many of us. While most of us can log off, there are many who can't. While I believe the message of the book is not to cut social media off completely but to make sure you log off if enough to enjoy that life that is going on around you. I loved this book and how Spalding got his message across!
This book was described as laugh-out-loud, and indeed it was. I had trouble reading it quietly as I would either burst out laughing or snort & chuckle.
Now, one caveat is that the writer is British so there a quite a few British terms used. I had to look up several references to get the point he was making. However, I enjoy learning new things so that was not a problem.
The main crux of the story is the tech detox that the main character is advised to try by his doctor. He uses all kinds of Internet sites for work, living life and for pleasure. (Although, the "pleasure" he derives from the time he spends on the Internet seems to cause him a lot of physical pain.)
While the main character has his peculiarities, the supporting characters are each characters themselves. Some are likeable, some not so much. But, together they make the story.
I don't know about you, but I needed a laugh during this pandemic. This author has written a number of other books, and from what I could gather, they are all amusing. I plan to try another of his books soon.
Laugh out loud funny!
I really liked reading this -- the mis-adventures of our everyman as he tries to wean himself off of technology -- something we can all relate to at some point in our lives.
There is a ton of humor in this book -- and some great reflection on what is good and bad about the connectedness we have right at our fingertips.
Still reading the book - but I had to share this as it's THAT good.
Some added irony in this satiric look at the tech-generation, and the joys of logging off and getting out to meet real people. Not the fault of the author, of course, that his book is being released at the height of social distancing.
It's a fun story, if sometimes a tad predictable: Andy, an ordinary guy (or, as this takes place in England, bloke) is having all kinds of physical difficulties. Like everyone else, he turns to the Internet to self-diagnose, and as he notices, all self-diagnosis roads on the Internet lead to terminal cancer.
Desperate, he visits his doctor, to be told that he needs to cut free of tech for 60 days. So we follow along as he tries to wean himself off social media, then to make his way in the world without handy-dandy stuff like satnav and Yelp reviews.
He even turns to the personal ads at the back of the newspaper to try to connect with possible dates. We know that's going to be a disaster, but how it turns out was pretty funny--in fact, one of the best scenes in the book for me.
What happens, how he becomes an influencer for the logged-off, and its results, forms the rest. It was a fun read, thoroughly enjoyable as I sit here in the house I haven't left except for masked-and-gloved grocery runs for the very two months he has to stay off the Internet. I could have done with less bathroom humor, but that might be one of those Brith/Yank humor divides. The rest was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the romance.
I heard a lot of good things about this book, but unfortunately I did not enjoy it. I’m not sure if I just didn’t get the humor or what, but I ended up not finishing the book. I was really looking forward to reading this book, but could not sit and enjoy it like others seemed to be able to.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book.
What a brilliant read. Entertaining, funny but also captures the truth of life today with (or without) technology. It really made me think about my use of social media and technology outside of work.
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
Reading Logging Off during a global pandemic was quite an experience because it is hard to imagine not having the Internet during our current situation. where many of us are practicing social distancing. The premise is one many of us can relate to: an over-reliance/addiction to the Internet and all its magical trappings: social media, online shopping, video games, influencers.
Andy, a British man in his 30s, has turned the Internet into his one stop shop for all things (including his bathroom habits). Struggling with stress that his physician diagnoses as an Internet addiction, he agrees to log off for 60 days except for work emails. His iPhone and tech tools are stored at his friend's house while Andy struggles to remember how to order takeout and use a map. It seems almost laughable at first but when you personally examine your own technology habits you realize it's not entirely far-fetched. While some of Andy's antics were a little hard to relate to on a personal level (Andy is admittedly not a people person at all) Nick Spalding's writing is witty and charming and he crafted a fast-paced, well-written story.
After reading the first chapter I was not sure this was a book I was going to love but the story quickly takes off with Andy's cringeworthy and amusing gaffs it ultimately culminates in a timely, charming story. The minor characters are developed enough to be memorable and the lessons learned are very applicable in our technology-centric world. I laughed out loud and can't wait to read more by Nick Spalding.
Thank you to the writer, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Logging Off by Nick Spalding was a very funny book. The main character, Andy Bellows, is becoming physically affected by his full-time, online social and work life. Andy’s physician recommends that Andy stop using all electronics except when he needs them for his job. This means no phone, no computer, no tablets, no apps for anything, etc. This book is about Andy’s struggles with living a “logged off” life. Major challenges present themselves, but Andy perseveres. In the process, he finds out what is most important in his life. I thought that this book was very funny. The author does a great job of writing about the humorous opportunities and situations that Andy finds himself in. I think anyone would enjoy this book.
Unfortunutally, this book was far too relatable.
Andrew is constantly looking at his phone and playing computer games.
He's not feeling great so he Googles his symptoms (of course he does) and decides that he has cancer.
His GP doesn't quite agree and suggests that Andrew has a Digital Detox. Telling him that he needs to look up from a screen and actually interact with the world instead of using an app.
A very enjoyable book with believable and relatable characters that I recognised.
Lots of laughs and giggles, which is always a bonus for me.
This is the first book I have read by this author. I just found it fun. It was witty, funny and bits of it rang oh so true. A lot of us are addicted to our phones and electronic devices and how many of us seem to have lost the ability to choose something for ourselves and resort to online reviews. How many of us have lost the ability to get somewhere without satnav? It is a light read but one that you don't want to put down. It is just plain enjoyable and I look forward to reading more from this author..
This is the second book by Nick Spalding that I have read and I enjoyed both. His writing is very easy one could say light & fluffy.
With Logging Off I did nearly give up all the poo jokes really didn't add anything to the story and then about half way through the writing got better and the real story came out. I think in today's world most of us spend too much time on line as was highlighted in the book. I enjoyed the romance with Grace and generally enjoyed the book.
This was a delightful book to rip through in an afternoon. I love Nick Spalding, he is one of the few authors that can genuinely make me laugh out loud whilst reading his work, and this book is no exception.
Whilst our main character is a little extreme with the digital dependence, and the main love interest obvious the moment she appeared on page, Some of the points made about our digital world, whilst some were pretty ridiculous, others were also quite thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed this book , and it was wonderful for a few hours of lockdown escapism.
4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion and review
#Netgalley #LoggingOff
Andy Bellows is a freelance graphic designer who is struggling with headaches, insomnia, and various other health problems. His doctor recognises the symptoms straight away. Andy is spending too much time online. The solution? A 60-day “digital detox.”
Can Andy survive two months without texting, tweeting, and online dating? He soon discovers it’s much harder than it sounds!
When his story makes it into the local news (thanks to his journalist best friend), suffering technophiles everywhere are soon hailing him as a hero. But Andy feels trapped by the unwanted attention. Can he get himself out of this mess and learn to have a more balanced relationship with technology?
This is a book for anyone who has ever wondered if they might be addicted to the internet.
The story is told entirely from Andy’s point of view, and I found him both frustrating and relatable. My reliance on technology is nowhere near as bad as Andy’s, so there were times where I wondered “How is he finding it this difficult!?” But then I reminded myself of the occasions where I’ve gone out for the day and left my phone at home by accident. Or I’ve gone to scroll through social media, only to find my battery is dead. How weird it feels to be completely disconnected.
Internet addiction is a serious problem for some people, and I think this book does a good job of shining a light on that.
If you’re a fan of Nick Spalding’s other books then I have no doubt you’ll enjoy this too. This is probably my favourite book of his that I’ve read so far. I didn’t find it laugh-out-loud funny, but it was an easy read and it made me smile.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. "Logging Off" by Nick Spalding's best feature by far was it's adorable British humor. The writing was so voicey and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the topic of getting off the internet just didn't make for a full-length, interesting story. The beginning was all right, as the MC Andy discovered all his health and emotional problems stemmed from his addiction to the online world and he attempted a full-on detox. But as the story went on, the issue just wasn't complex enough to keep me interested. In essence, his life got better and there wasn't any real conflict to keep the plot going after that. He had a few small incidents and acted like his life was over because of them. He developed a following of people trying to live like him and got really stressed out and melodramatic about it. He met a lovely girl and freaked out about that a little too. It's almost like Spalding was having to overemphasize tiny issues to keep the story limping on until the end, but really it had ended a while back. So, I loved the humor and the voice, but the story just did hold up as a full-length novel for me.
While it always gives me a surge of guilt to laugh at someone’s misfortune (especially when it’s bathroom related), Nick Spalding makes it impossible not to. In his newest book, Logging Off, graphic designer Andy is hit with a plethora of unfortunate and embarrassing medical issues. Eager to get them sorted out, he meets with his until now trusted doctor only to be told they are all psychosomatic, likely caused by the constant stress of practically living online.
Initially bewildered and skeptical, Andy expresses his dismay to his journalist friend, only to have it confirmed that instead of immersing himself in reality, he has become incapable of interacting without the world wide web. His friend urges Andy to give the internet detox a shot, proposing he follow his progress in a series of articles. Figuring the extra exposure to his graphic design business is well worth the promised misery of logging off, Andy reluctantly agrees.
From dating out of the classifieds to using paper maps to reroute around a traffic accident, Andy quickly comes to terms with how much he (and most of us) has come to rely upon technology to go about his daily life. Spalding captures each incident in realistic and hysterical detail, ensuring the reader acutely feels Andy’s pain and discomfort at each derailment.
In a time when social media and having a fast wi-fi connection feel more important than ever, Logging Off is a lighthearted look at something we’ve probably all at least thought about: taking a step back and going back to a life that doesn’t revolve looking at a screen to conduct even the most mundane of tasks. While Andy enters the experiment kicking and screaming, the author is upfront and honest about how Andy feels every step of the way, never glorifying one lifestyle over the other. Spalding via Andy makes it clear that what works for one person is not a panacea for mankind, with Andy readily admitting that there are times when technology trumps living off the grid.
Four stars for this delightful and relatable story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon UK Publishing for a complimentary advance copy. This did not impact my review.
This is the first book I have read by this author. I thought the tile Logged off had a great fun sound to it. Do you know anyone not addicted to some device? This is a fun, quick read. If you need a few good laughs during this time and you are stuck on technology this could bring you quite a few laughs.
Logging Off was an easy breezy read that made some excellent points about the benefits of decreasing our screen time. And also reminded us of the benefits of having a mini computer in the palm of our hands. Andy and Grace were wonderful characters that I enjoyed getting to know. My only complaint was some of the chapters seem to ramble and my attention wavered on a regular basis. A good beach read!
“Logging Off” is a cute novel about a tough problem: knowing how to put down the phone and interact with people. Andy is a graphic designer with an internet addiction that causes him various types of distress - digestive and otherwise. Andy’s adventures over the course of his technology detox comprise the majority of the book. There are no big surprises, and the book could have done with judicious editing (I think I would have liked it better as a novella), but overall I found it to be light, sweet and entertaining. The style reminded me of “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer. Three stars.
Nick Spalding is a hoot. While I wouldn’t say the book was my cup of tea, Spalding is downright hilarious. The book was quirky and light. If you enjoy comedy fiction, this little nugget is your golden ticket. •
Andy is deeply invested in the online world. He spends more hours on than off. When he starts getting physical manifestations of pain related to his time on the web, his doctor recommends a detox of 60 days. Before isolation, I wouldn’t have realized how slow Father Time has the ability to waddle by - my days whipped past and were largely a blur. NOW I feel for Andy. 60 days moves slow as molasses when you need it to end. •
The story follows Andy and his journey of unplugging. It shows how much we rely on the internet for our basic day-to-day “needs”. Spalding shows the good, the bad and the downright weird, of the online world. Andy gets into a number of pickles without having the internet to rely on, but also experiences days of beauty that he otherwise wouldn’t have.•
Admittedly, I’m not super tech savvy. I only got Uber a short while ago. I don’t have apps on my phone (...primarily because I have major issues with recalling passwords) and I still don’t know how to space paragraphs on Instagram. It took a few posts of verrrrrrry long paragraphs for me to figure out that I can put that circle thing at the end of a paragraph and it works to split them (stellar problem solving skills). BUT, I have been known a time or two to diagnose myself or a family member with a very rare ailment following my intensive google research. I get myself in a real tailspin and my day(s) are ruined. My husband tries to remind me of my previous incorrect diagnoses and to take a breath. This rarely goes well for him, but he’s right. •
With all the information at our fingertips, it’s easy to go down that rabbit hole and have a hard time crawling your way back out. Spalding’s book is a reminder to slow down. It shows the conveniences that the internet has provided our daily lives, but is a reminder to continue to live outside its domains. •
#loggingoff #nickspalding #bookclub #amazonpublishingUK #fiction #comedyfiction #netgalley #bookreview #newreleasebook #quarantinereads #whatimreading #whatimreadingnow #whattoreadnext #quarantbr #books
#torontoreads #sloanereads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksaremymedicine #🇨🇦bookenablers #bookshelf #ilovebooks #bookstagram #booksddict #booknerd
The novel most reminds me of Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInnerney, but here,, instead of drugs that ruin the main character’s life, it’s all the social media that, when given up, send him into a withdrawal shock. it’s a quick and enjoyable read about a topic that is the plat du jour in these times. (Unfortunately, the book came out during the pandemic lockdown, which, on the one hand, made the main character’s plight somewhat irrelevant, but on the other hand, was a welcome relief from all the dependence on the media we were subjected to.)
Hilarious!! Boy did I chuckle, I even told my best friend. I haven’t chuckled this much reading a book for a long time, I was literally in tears. I loved the concept covered in the book, so thought why not. I’m so glad I did and not just for the laughs!! Brilliant read for anyone.
A graphic designer discovers that his mobile devices are affecting his health. When he agrees to a digital detox, he discovers just how necessary—and not—technology is to his life. Author Nick Spalding hits every note perfectly in the laugh-out-loud humor novel Logging Off.
London suburbanite Andy Bellows loves his technology. No, he really loves it. But who wouldn’t? Where else but online can you get into a spirited argument about whether an old dairy farm should be developed into housing or find an app that helps monitor bowel movements?
Andy’s really psyched about that one. His Irritable Bowel Syndrome has caused him so many problems. Well, that and the permanent pain his neck—literally—but at least he can fix that with painkillers. And now, with the newest app to join his phone, he thinks he can get a handle on his IBS too.
Things are looking up for Andy until they get locked into place—again, literally. During a graphic design pitch to a hot new London fashion house, Andy’s jaw freezes. Then his IBS kicks in. He manages to get out of the building but not before embarrassing himself enough to last the rest of eternity.
After researching his symptoms online and discovering he could have every horrible condition under the sun, he goes to the doctor who makes a simple diagnosis: Andy’s addiction to technology is to blame. The countless hours he spends with his head tilted in the same direction for his phone or tablet are causing the pain in the neck and his locked jaw. His lack of mobility makes his IBS act up. In short, his doctor suggests a digital detox.
Andy would rather have his jaw sewn into its locked position with fire-hot steel mesh. Then he confides in best friend and journalist Fergus, and Fergus convinces Andy to do it. To make things worse, Fergus decides to do a human-interest story on Andy about his whole detox adventure.
Andy’s more surprised than Fergus when he agrees. After all, it’s only two months. What could happen?
Plenty. Andy bumps into one of his online idols in real life, finds himself in the middle of a duck pond on the way to a job pitch, and discovers that there’s actually a café in all of England that can make his favorite coffee. As he starts to focus more on himself IRL, he realizes that maybe everything online isn’t as amazing as it seems. And maybe some of it is.
Author Nick Spalding keeps the pacing steady from the start. Andy is funny, sweet, a good friend, and genuinely befuddled at how he’s going to manage the detox. In the hands of a lesser skilled writer, the main character could have easily turned into an annoying one. Instead, his strong voice and the tone of the novel will make readers burst into laughter several times.
One of the greatest strengths of the novel is its short length. Spalding doesn’t throw in melodramatic asides or let Andy meander into unnecessary subplots. Also, one of Andy’s greatest strengths is that if he makes a mistake or finds himself out of his depth in a new place, he doesn’t try to lie his way out of it. In a refreshing change, Andy owns up right away to his setbacks and deals with his crisis of conscience head on. This subversion of the typical tropes of the genre will endear Andy to readers even more.
Spalding writes a character firmly entrenched in his British way of life, but readers will find universal appeal in this book. It’s clear the author knows his audience and meets them halfway, yet he still manages to surprise readers with Andy’s choices and the resolution. Anyone who likes a novel that will make them grin from beginning to end will definitely want to check this one out. I recommend readers Binge Logging Off.
Another great book by Nick Spalding. I always enjoy his humor. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
Andy spends a lot of time online, it's a key part of his daily routine, checking various social media, using apps to track everything from his sleep to his bowel movements. But when his doctor tells him he's suffering from stress caused by too much time online and suggests a digital detox, he has to make some pretty big changes. With the encouragement of his best friend Felix, he packs his phone, online games console, everything but his work equipment and embarks on life without the internet.
With Andy's story, Spalding cleverly references how reliant we have become on technology, how much we judge people, what we portray to others online compared to what's really going on and how much truth we should tell others.
I wasn't entirely sure what I thought for the first couple of chapters, but as I started to get more involved in Andy's story, I really started to enjoy it. There are plenty of humourous moments in the book, but even though it's a fictional story, it has definitely made me question whether I should think about logging off more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Social media can be addictive. Also during these pandemic times, it can make you sick or be helpful to you. It all depends on the way you use it. An apt book for current times I would say. Logging off by Nick Spalding was fun, relaxing satire to read. I am now tempted to do a digital detox at least for a weekend.
Thank you Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
A light read, always enjoy Nick Spalding's books. I would classify this as a chick lit. It was easy to dip in and out of this book, which kept it more enjoyable.
Logging Off by Nick Spalding was a fun read. I really liked Andy and have to admit to feeling horrified on his behalf when he decided to go on the digital detox.
Andy, a graphic designed has a myriad of health problems, so he toddles along to his GP after Dr Google diagnoses him with several rare forms of Cancer - but his GP's diagnosis is much simpler - Andy is addicted to technology and the digital world. After some soul searching, Andy decides to undertake the digital detox - 60 days away from the digital world, unless it is work related...
What follows is a fun story, with plenty of mishaps and a sprinkling of romance - Logging Off was an easy read, that had me smiling and nodding my head along with Andy; another great read from Spalding.
I like to think I'm not quite so addicted as Andy, but who knows?
3.5*
A good funny read as I expected, but with a lot of depth. It really made me assess my use of social media and the time I spend online playing mindless games. An easy read - leading to a challenging decision! The descriptions of Andy's bowel problems were funny - and familiar!! Some real laugh out loud moments. I'm still smiling thinking about the duck pond, which in the current climate means the book was a real success. #netgalley #loggingoff
What a fun read! It's been a while since a book made me laugh so hard. This is a great book for when you are stuck at home - and on your phone/ipad/laptop a little too much.
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy - I would recommend this one!!
Fun read, Wonderful premise of the need for a "digital detox" that I think many people would identify with. Lovable characters. It wasn't quite as laugh out loud as previous Spalding books, and the laughs it reached for felt forced sometimes, but overall an enjoyable read.
Oh the humor of writing a review on a website about a book I learned about through another website and read on my ereader about a man who is told by his doctor that he needs to do a digital detox and eschew all online activity! It's funny even before you get to the actual writing! Poor Andy is having some serious physical issues as a result of his continued addiction to Twitter, Candy Crush, Instagram, etc. Like many of us, his work is also completed on a computer, so he spends most of his day staring at various screens of different sizes. When this results in a locked jaw and persistent IBS while meeting with a client, Andy goes online (of course) to find that he is probably dying of something horrific. Imagine his relief to find out he just needs to stop spending all his waking hours on his cell or laptop! But of course it isn't that easy and of course Mr. Spalding writes the entire book with a dash of slapstick just to make sure no one gets stressed out reading about Andy's adventures. The sneaky appearance of a few characters from other books provided additional amusement for loyal readers. Admittedly, the reader will quickly realize where the story will end up, but thankfully that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of getting there, sans a navigational app!
I enjoyed Nick Spalding’s “Love…” series early on, though I found them to become progressively formulaic and juvenile. This kind of writing undoubtedly sells, but I took a long break from reading Spalding’s books in the hopes of seeing some growth as an author. Unfortunately, I didn’t see evidence of this at all.
I was intrigued by the plot of the story so I decided to give it a go and was immediately bombarded with immature toilet humor. While the situations he puts the main character Andy Bellows through are undeniably humorous, but that doesn’t mean I found them funny. It just felt the same as his earlier books where it was just a constant barrage of awkward situations that seem more important to the author than the plot.
There is certainly an audience for books like Spalding’s, unfortunately, I no longer believe I am part of that audience.
“There just aren’t enough hours in the day!” Andy is a self-employed freelance graphic designer with intestinal issues. With a fixation on social media, gaming, and streaming, there is zero hope of his Logging Off anytime soon. Until he gets cancer...
No. according to his real doctor—not the cancer-pronouncing Dr. Google—Andy has a fierce case of technology addiction. The cure? Stop using technology for sixty days. S-I-X-T-Y D-A-Y-S!!! A digital detox? “It’s either a stabbing pain, or a return to the Dark Ages. I’m not so sure which is worse, to be honest with you...”
With the COVID-19 pandemic quietly raging outside, the world of being too busy seems like a quaint memory of a mostly forgotten childhood. Without technology now, everyone would be truly isolated. However, if I try to imagine doing a digital detoxing in the world before, it is a truly frightening thought.
My house isn’t even wired for a landline and I haven’t had one in at least fifteen years. There are no over-the-air broadcast television in my area since all signals were digitalized over a decade ago. The most frequent visitor at my home is my UPS driver with my almost daily Amazon package. I’ll save a lot of money on my fiber-optic Wi-Fi, satellite television, and all of those extra streaming services. But what will I spend the money on, I’ll actually have to leave my home and walk around a physical store. Ugh! I, and I’m sure most of us, can definitely relate to Andy’s pain.
I always enjoy a book that makes me empathic for the lead character. Logging Off does that but also makes me reminiscent for the lost options of going to a park or hanging out with friends. Now we are all trapped in our houses with only our technology keeping us connected and safe. I wonder what we will think about technology when we get out. Will we be more into it or sick of it?
Oops! Back to the review. Logging Off is a humorous tale of trying to get free of an addiction that most of the Western world has heavily invested in. It also has a thirty-six year old man feeling like an old man around Gen Zers. With IBS and lockjaw symptoms. But funny! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars!
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I'd never read a Nick Spalding book before but this was simply put, hilarious! I literally laughed all the way through the novel. Andy's doctor recommends a "digital detox" as his obsession with social media has manifested itself into physical symptoms that Andy can no longer ignore. The characters are quirky, the humor is constant, and the message is poignant. What Andy comes away with is a sense of balance that, of course makes sense for all of us as he feels lost without his devices. And ironically, he becomes what he initially detested: a media influencer with thousands of fans who join him in "logging off." I thoroughly enjoyed this romp and will read more of Spaulding in the future!
Graphic artist, Andy Bellows is a mess. He’s lashed himself so securely to the digital world that he’s developed a psychosomatic disorder that has him in a state of constant constipation and neck and jaw pain so severe he seeks medical help, only to have the doctor tell him his condition is common and he just needs to unplug (no pun intended) by going strictly analog. His physical distress is very real and as frightening as the idea seems of going unplugged cold turkey, he knows its what he needs to do. But how does one go from revealing every aspect of one’s life on every social media platform to nothing, nada, zip, zilch, zero? So Andy gathers all his electronic devices, boxes them up and stashes the box high in his closet. Andy goes through a withdrawal period similar to that of any addict, constantly wavering on the brink of throwing in the towel and saying to hell with this idea! But his inner conflict soon subsides and as a result of starting the Logged Off movement, he meets Grace who helps him navigate the scary existence of the analog world. In the process, Andy becomes something of a techno hero to others who are similarly immersed in technology. This prospect terrifies him even more than did the idea of being unplugged. But how does one extricate oneself from unwanted fame and live a more normal and balanced life? A question for the ages.
In “Logging Off” author Nick Spalding’s writing shines with classic British humor and dry wit. His protagonist is so eaten up with self doubt and recriminations that he spends all his waking hours analyzing and second guessing his every action. Some of it was amusing but mostly it just tired me out. But then I’m probably one of only a handful of people who found more tragedy than humor in “The Graduate”. Go figure. Seriously, Andy struck me as pitiable or hapless, even a bit pathetic, which is very unfunny. Maybe it was just my mood after five weeks of sheltering in place. That will affect anyone’s mood.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #LoggingOff
Logging Off is an entertaining, quick read and what I have come to expect of this author! I liked the characters and the way they developed and though I could guess much of what happened, I still enjoyed it.
First off, thank you to Netgalley and Amazon publishing UK for this digital ARC.
Okay, so this book was good, it just wasn't a perfect read for me personally. Andy was an interesting character, and the writing was hilarious at times, but something about the novel didn't quite connect for me the way books usually do. It was a fast read, just about a few hours in total. The theme of unplugging is incredibly relevant for today's world and while I could often relate to Andy's struggle, I just felt like I wanted Spalding to go a bit deeper with the idea of finding balance. Also, there were quite a bit of references to bowel movements which I grew somewhat tired of after a while.
Overall: a fun and easy read with likable characters and just a bit of raunchy humor!
This book is an insight into how our digital lives can affect our physical health. In order to alleviate some of his symptoms, Andy is forced to enrol in a digital detox- giving up all of his devices and his online life. We are taken on his journey as he struggles through.
The book seems to be a series of amusing, if not quite unrealistic, anecdotes. He meets some interesting characters, but the ridiculousness of the story meant I really struggled to get through it. If you need something lighthearted and silly, you will enjoy this. For fans of Sophie Kinsella and Meg Cabot.
From the opening paragraph I was hooked and in stitches. I could really relate to Andy Bellows' bowel problems and although it isn't really funny Nick Spaldings description was spot on.. Andy is a graphic designer and off he goes to do a presentation. Poor Andy, his bowels in turmoil and then his jaw locks. His speech is undecipherable and he runs. On his return home he stats to Google all of his symptoms. Of course there are many diagnoses, all of which put his brain into muddled turmoil. Like a vast majority of us Andy spends a lot of his time on social media platforms. Playing games, following people on Twitter.. A visit to his GP doesn't go in his favour. It seems his bowel problems and lockjaw are all down to too much surfing on the net. He is told to do a two month detoxification. What follows is a hilarious, eventful detoxification. Does Andy manage to complete his two month? Read this fast moving and hilariously funny book to find out. You will not regret it. Apart from the humour this book actually got me thinking about my use of the internet. Maybe I should follow Nick Spaldings title and log off. Thank you to NetGalley and Nick Spalding for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm having a hard time giving this one a rating. I laughed out loud during several parts and really enjoyed the storyline. However it took about 50% of the book before I really got into it. Most of that was because of the amount of times the author chose to talk about poop. I can get behind a poop joke but the sheer amount, length, and detail was unnecessary. The characters were great Andy was a likeable guy who gets himself into pretty hilarious situations. Overall I'm glad I stuck this one out but wouldn't recommend it to a friend.
A new to me author. I have loved this story! You know when you just feel like you've read the right story at the right time?
It was laugh out loud hilarity pretty much all the way through, but it also got me thinking.
Logging off and having time away from technology is just as important as using it to stay connected, even in a lockdown.
Definitely a 5 star read; it was fab! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Huge thanks to the publisher and author for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book through Net Galley!
This book was so much fun to read! I devoured it in 2 days, easy, and had a hard time putting it down. I laughed out loud so many times, I got some snarky looks from my family, but just couldn't' help myself. The writing was fun while being thought provoking.
Though I think I could have done with less talk of Andy's bowel distress and the talk of needing to 'poo' so much, I think the story did a good job of talking about a problem a lot of people face and how a dependency on technology can lead to read physical issues. I've read many articles that talked about the same issues that were illustrated in Andy, referring to technology use - and abuse. It's a good message, and it's wrapped up in a good way. And it was just fun to read!
The ending of the book felt just about right, as well. I enjoy books that show true character growth in the story, and I feel that we - and Andy - learned a valuable lesson quite a few times. And that balance is important in all areas of life - from social media and technology to hobbies and interests, to work, food, exercise. Lots of great lessons here, and I encourage you all to read the book and think about what you can learn from Andy. :)
An interesting and fun read. Really makes you stop and think about how much time I spend on my devices. Very funny in places. Definitely worth a read.
Would you survive 60 days technology free?
The first chapter immediately opens talking about bowel movements… 🤔 At first I was like oh good lord what have I gotten myself into BUT I have a 12 year old boys sense of humor and I found myself laughing out loud at poop jokes.
This is the story of Andy, who, after seeking medical advice for a myriad of issues is told he needs to go on a technology detox. Can neck and back pain, IBS, lock jaw, insomnia, etc. all be solved by putting down the electronics. No more social media, no google, no texting, no screens. Andy has to * gasp * go out in the real world and talk to people. He wants to order dinner? He’ll have to CALL the restaurant. That’s when this book went too far for me. Talking on the phone should be a sin. Kidding of course but really if I can order something online or with an app I will do that 100% of the time instead of calling. I can feel Andy's pain throughout the book. It's very hard to imagine a life without being able to shoot off a quick text, scroll Facebook or googling something.
The stories that come from Andy’s detox are hilarious with very well timed humor. I honestly wish I could have lived his life over this time period. My god the interview at the beginning… I was literally laughing out loud. If anyone had seen me they’d have thought I lost my mind!
If you like potty humor, aren’t afraid of swear words, and crave an easy funny read then you need to grab this book! Thoroughly enjoyed it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it made me giggle, a lot; and it was quite profound in places. Every week, when my iPad and iPhone update me on how many hours I have been on line, I start to feel a bit guilty and think I should be logging off more often! But most of my on-line time is reading and checking facts, honestly!
Andy is a freelance graphic designer, working from home, and uses his iPad and iPhone for everything you can think of. He is also a bit of a hypochondriac. He goes to visit a clothes design company with a presentation he has prepared for them. It all goes very badly, and he gets various awful bodily reactions to these very strange people he is trying to impress, and eventually runs away. When he gets home he Google’s his ‘symptoms’ ... not a good idea at the best of times! Google suggests he has seven different cancers, as well as other hideous diseases. It is time to visit the doctor - urgently! His doctor tells him there is nothing physically wrong, but he needs to spend less time on the internet, he needs a digital detox! The doctor provides Andy with a leaflet explaining what he should do, and suggests he returns after a month of detox to see how it has helped.
After a great deal of grumbling and panic Andy decides to try it, anything is better than his painful and diverse symptoms. He goes for a coffee with his best friend Fergus and tells him all about it. That might be a big mistake, Fergus is an award winning reporter on the local newspaper, and he writes about it in the paper, having taken all Andy’s internet attachments to save him from temptation. Andy has decided he will continue the detox for two months, and his surreal adventures begin. I think Nick Spalding has thought of every mishap that could possibly occur, and although some of them are quite bizarre you honestly can imagine them happening. But at the same time good things are happening, and Andy is becoming a stronger person.
Nick Spalding ends the story on a high note, but also suggests that we could all be better off by relying on the internet a little less, , and he is probably quite right!
Quite funny bits sprinkled throughout the book. It read very much like someone's true story. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!
A fun and quick read. The characters and storyline felt a bit one dimensional, but it did make me think about my own relationship with technology and social media.
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.
This book had relevance to our modern time of being connected online excessively. I liked the plot and the charisma of the characters. Thank you to the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.
Cute novel, though at first I found Andy really annoying with a complete lack of self awareness. If you can get past that, he gradually improves, and there are some interesting points about just how dependent on the internet / technology we've all become.
this was a fun read, uplifting and humorous, and also made me think about my own social media addiction. I'm intrigued to read more from Spalding.
It might seem a bit of a strange choice to really enjoy a book about a digital detox at a time when most of us are using technology more than ever to keep in touch with family and friends, but this made me laugh so much that I couldn't help myself. Admittedly it took me a little bit to get into - but I'm blaming that on the poo-splosion incident near the start, which was too close to humiliation humour for me, but that's just me. Andy's adventures without his phone were funny and relatable, the secondary characters are great and I thought the resolution was really clever. It also reminds you not to take what you see on the internet too seriously as a model for your own life and will make you think about your own technology consumption - especially if you're reading it on a Kindle like I was - but in a good way not in a boring preachy way that will make you feel bad about it. I mean I work in a tech heavy and tech reliant job and I was definitely thinking "well at least I don't do that" rather than "uh oh, I have a problem" while I was reading it.
This is the second Nick Spalding book I've read - I read Bricking It back in December 2015 and that was a BotW as well as getting a mention in my books about renovations post. I'm not to sure why it's taken me so long to read him again, because I really enjoyed that too. Four and a bit years ago, my main complaint with Bricking It (according to my Goodreads review) was that the resolution was a bit too sudden, and this one doesn't have that problem. There is a definite dilemma that Nick is going through and it resolves itself in stages - and you don't really notice that it's doing it until you realise that it's done. Which is neat.
Thanks to #netgalley, #lakeunionpublishing , and #amazonpublishingUK for the opportunity to read this hilarious book.
Pub date April 23, 2020
If you've ever thought about disconnecting from all your electronic devices, you will get a kick out of this book. Andy is suffering from all kinds of physical problems and when his jaw freezes up during a presentation, he make appointment with his doctor. Diagnosis? Technology addiction! Treatment? No technology allowed for 60 days! I laughed out loud at he navigates life without his devices. Recommend!
“Life is about finding your balance. No matter how long it takes. No matter how hard it is to get there. And no matter how many duck ponds you have to drive into. Because you will get there, eventually. Trust me.” A quote from Andy Bellows, the main character in this very humorous novel about technology addiction. Andy is a graphic designer suffering from many kinds of maladies when his doctor suggests that it may be in Andy’s best interest to do a digital detox for 60 days. And here we have the premise for the story. When his best friend, Fergus, writes a newspaper article about Andy and his digital detox program, Andy suddenly gets quite a following. This includes a new love interest, Grace, a barista with her own coffee shop and a similar addiction to technology. Over the course of the story there are many interesting characters. The author, Nick Spaulding, has a very British form of wry humor, sometimes it gets over the top, but still had me laughing out loud! They say that laughter is the best medicine, and maybe with what we are all experiencing right now, this light-hearted novel is just what we need. This is my first novel by this author, but won’t be my last. Thank you NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of “Logging Off.”
A funny take on the pros and cons of giving up social media, "Logging Off" will make a great beach read this summer (or back garden, if we're still on Covid lockdown). I particularly enjoyed the nod to Oliver and Sam at Thorn Manor. Not my favourite Spalding novel but enjoyable enough and I do love his writing.
Logging Off By Nick Spalding
This book was a nice and light read, with some good moments of humour. I enjoyed the storyline and the main character. This book does give you food for thought thinking about online activities, although it will never make me delete my Google maps because my mishaps will be worse than those in the book 😂😂
While I read this as an ebook, I did listen to a sample of audio too, and think the audiobook might be even funnier.
Such a fun read! If you've spent too much time on the internet (my gosh, who hasn't??) then log off for a bit and give this a read! Funny, charming and even a tiny bit of romance thrown in! Really enjoyed it!
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...
Honestly I had high hopes for this book but I just didn't like it at all. The characters are far from likeable, and the whole concept of the book is ultimately wildly erratic and improbable. I did finish it but I was incredibly disappointed, the concept held so much promise but the author seemed to take it as an opportunity to judge absolutely everyone's lifestyle choices, and this was enough for me to cement the one star review. I won't be reading any more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I laughed out loud many times while reading this book. It was funny but also thought provoking. It made me think about my technology consumption and how I could lower it.
Andy was a likable character who we got to see really grow as a person through the story. I could have done with less poop references though.
Andy is addicted to technology, using it in some form or another for just about every aspect of his life — I was exhausted by his use of apps in the first chapter alone. After a rough day, Andy experiences severe physical symptoms which lead him to believe something is wrong. Of course his online research confirms death is looming, so he makes a doctor’s appointment, at which his doctor prescribes a digital detox. Andy begrudgingly acknowledges his tech addiction and decides to give it a go.
Logging Off follows Andy as he attempts to navigates a digital-free world, using the phone to place takeout orders rather than ordering delivery through an app, not engaging in online arguments through social media, and not swiping right to find potential suitors. His best friend, Fergus, is a journalist for the local paper and writes a story about Andy’s detox, which prompts a movement of enthusiastic supporters. He meets some other interesting characters along the way too. The story has a solid dose of humor and I was curious to see how Andy would fare.
Logging Off reinforces that we could all benefit from a digital detox, at least from time to time. While technology is often convenient and offers many day-to-day benefits, it can also be an intrusive, constant distraction, among other consequences.
This might be one of the most hilarious books I have ever read - it had me crying laughing. For those of you who are into dry, British humor (sarcastic and cynical and full of pop-culture references) - you cannot pass this one up. Absolutely hysterical, while also hitting home an important point about modern society and our obsession with technology and social media. •
Any Bellows is your typical guy - mid-thirties and working as a successful graphic designer. While trying to land a job he is suddenly hit was a bizarre array of physical symptoms. These physical symptoms, combined with some psychological and mental struggles, lead him to seek the advice of his physician. Unfortunately, Dr. Hu (I told y’all it was funny), informs him that his symptoms reflect a common reaction due to overuse and obsession with technology and screens. The solution? A digital detox. •
Andy’s digital detox threatens to break him. As he gets rid of his cell phone, hundred of apps, online forums, and access to everything not required for work, he is an absolute mess. His daily struggles are relatable, hilarious, and sometimes cringe-worthy, as he tackles traveling without GPS, dating without the use of apps, and more. •
Andy’s journey is followed in the local papers and creates a following of admiring fans who all dream of “logging off”. As Andy recognizes the joys of living life unplugged and falls in love for the first time in years, he struggled with how to address his fans and is also met with the harsh reality that sometimes the world, our problems, and our answers are not black and white. •
Andy Bellows is addicted to his cell phone, and his doctor recommends a total detox. Afraid he won't be able to stick to the plan on his own, Andy agrees to let his journalist friend chronicle his digital detox journey. The results are hilarious. In the middle of a blind date gone terribly wrong, Andy befriends a barista who also wants to disconnect from her phone. Spalding's tendency toward hyperbole keeps the story rolling along. Spot-on observations about what too much tech does to people, and a laugh-out-loud skewering of fake Instagram influencers. Very funny British fiction, with a generous sprinkling of f-bombs. (Netgalley review)
Absolutely loved it, laugh out loud, bellyaching. What food for thought though. I've even started noting what time I spend on-line - quite balanced I think!!
A funny read and ironic due to the times we live in now. We practically live online even more so this was a nice and light read during dark times.
This book is absolutely in the British humor & satire category.
I was able to enjoy this one reading a chapter or a few chapters per day and get some good laughs from it.
Andy is a character that's sort of relatable he's addicted to technology for just about every aspect of his life. His use of apps in his everyday life is quite excessive, he gets into online feuds awaiting responses. He nueraticaly self diagnosed his medical systems by spiraling through online research. We all know what happens when you dive too deep and become your own online doctor, you find out you're going to die.
Andy attempts to live his life free of all of his devices. He starts calling restaurant to place food orders for take out instead of using a food app. Talking to people directly on a phone? Using a phone to have an actual conversation he's gone mad!
Andy's best friend Fergus is a journalist who writes about Andy's technology detox in the local paper.
It's an interesting story about how Andy deals with the detox and gives the reader perspective on unplugging from your devices and plugging into the real world.
This is my first Nick Spalding book. The plotline really intrigued me as I have quite a few times gone through the process of "online" burnout and had to take a break from social media. Nick writes with humour, the main character, a graphic designer lives as so many do from waking to fretfully sleeping - still using apps and keeping well plugged in. How many apps on your phone?
Waking and checking Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, emails and all before breakfast! Let's be honest a lot of people live like this right? Seeing couples over dinner with their smart phones in their hands, not saying a word to each other. It's gone all a bit mad. Nick's novel takes a character who really could be a lot of people I know and steps him into the unthinkable....logging off. Everything. Brave move.
I really enjoyed the book at the start but the humour quickly became really predictable and dare I say it somewhat "naff". I found the same with the storyline. It became very easy to know where it was heading which kind of removed that feeling of being hooked in, eager to see what came next. It is a VERY light-hearted read but I have read funny novels that do make me laugh out loud and this one didn't hit the mark.
I do like the plot concept overall, a message about what life is like when technology is put away and we have to interact with life and the world like in the olden days. Lots of positives there. With a smattering of romance, some eye-rolling unrealistic moments it was okay. One thing I did notice was a lot of small plot directions were not wrapped up, not followed up and as to what actually happened after the event. I could name a few but that would be spoilers.
It hasn't enticed me to read any of Nick's other novels despite the fact I do love a funny book. I know he has his fan base however. Three stars from me for Logging Off.
From the opening lines describing a poo app, you know this guy is far too involved with his technology. It only gets worse before over stimulated Andy Bellows has to face the fact that backing away from the screen is really his only rational option. -But how does a media junky cope without Instagram, Twitter, TridAdvisor, and Facebook? Not well. Not well at all. The poor fellow is a total mess until he finds a fan to help him through. Does that mean a hundred fans will be better? Not by a long shot. I enjoyed this romp through the frustrations of Andy's withdrawal and all the benefits that eventually surfaced. Even his poo improved! Nick Spaulding has done an excellent job at putting us in the skin of someone into internet depths far past appropriate levels and the horror felt having to climb out.
A story that is not only about disconnecting from the internet/online but also a journey to find balance in life. I definitely laughed at some points while reading this but also felt like it had substance and wasn’t just a light hearted story. I definitely recommend picking this up if you get a chance.
5 hysterical stars!
This book is hilarious. If content largely focused on a poop and tracking it on poop app bothers you, don't despair, it's just the first chapter or 2 and then just sprinkled sporadically throughout.
Andy is addicted to technology, he literally had an app for everything. As we all know, phone addiction is real and can negatively impact your life. For Andy, the problems go beyond the mental state and manifest themselves as physical ailments. It's time for Andy to do a digital detox. And that's when the slapstick comedy really begins. Andy's inner dialog is hilarious. The situations he finds himself in are completely unbelievable. I found this laugh out loud funny. I tend to read mysteries/thrillers or women's lit and I've clearly been missing out on humor.
This is the perfect light read, a great distraction, and who can't benefit from some laughter?
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Logging off was a fun, light read that had me laughing quite a bit as I followed Andrew, a man struggling with addiction to the Internet, social media, and video games. Andrew Bellows is prescribed a digital detox by his doctor, and hilarity ensues as he tries to navigate the world off-line. Overall, I actually found myself contemplating my own screen time as I read this book. Spalding certainly has crafted a lovable and relatable character, and I look forward to reading more of his books in the future.
This was the first book I've read by this author. I thought the storyline was good - I think we could all do with a digital detox from time to time! It has some very funny moments in it but I didn't like the toilet humour at all.
I found this book light hearted but at places I urged it to “get going”. I found it slow paced and at times a bit too much information!
That being said, it was a good book to read during “lockdown”, a time where the majority of people are turning to technology for entertainment. It did spur me on to read the book rather than sit playing games and just before bed, put my phone down rather than get lost in the world of tik tok.
I know Nick Spalding doesn’t really do sequels but I would be interested in getting to know Fergus more.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
This was an eye-opening story for me, mainly because it shows the technological plague in a light that some people need to see, but don't want to. This book is something everyone needs to read and has definitely opened me up to author Nick Spalding, an author I haven't read before until now. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book AND from their own detox.
The message in this book is very relevant in this day and age, and I'd say a must read for most people these days, spending so much time looking at a screen.
A nice funny read and something to think about.
Andy is a graphic designer, and like all of us is relying on his phone to do everything in his life. He's spent an entire month working on a presentation for Fluidity, in the hope to get the job for designing their spring promotion. But Everything went south when Andy lost the battle to a locked jaw and explosive diarrhea. Fearing the worst, he's reluctant to consult a doctor. But when his condition doesn't get better, he finally gives up and books an appointment with his GP. Andy is in shock when Dr. Hu announces that his sickness doesn't have any physical basis, and is primarily stress-related, coming mostly from his tech addiction. Thus the only way out is to quit everything.
Andy is all of us when it comes to tech addiction. He managed to put his entire everyday life at the mercy of phone apps. So when it comes to quitting it's not the easiest thing.
The story is definitely original and contemporary.
I myself had many "internet fasting" attempts, and I admit it wasn't as dramatic as Andy's experience. And it can be beneficial when it comes to reducing brain fogginess and bettering your sleep. But quitting everything seems impossible. I've tried being a new place without Google Maps, and it's definitely not the most enjoyable experience ( even with a physical map). I would surely recommend a social media detox.
It was an easy fun read. Nick Spalding's writing is enjoyable, witty, and humorous. I mostly enjoyed the physical comedy scenes. I would recommend it if you are looking for a sweet and funny story. I rate it 4 stars because in some parts I couldn't like Andy all the way, and had to agree with Grace in finding him a little bit rude.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my review copy
Love anything by Nick Spalding especially the Love series. Another really brilliant book. Bit sad at times but really good nonetheless
A laugh out loud read as usual, whilst at the same time very thought provoking - with a very valid message. Very entertaining and a really good read.
Timely, hilarious and eye opening, Logging Off is the story of a man with so many health issues caused by his addiction to electronic devices, social media, and email that his doctor’s only recommendation is the log off completely for two months. Trying to live without a smartphone in our digital age proves to be quite a challenge for Andy, but entertaining, amusing and thought provoking for the reader. With many endearing characters and some quite funny scenes, I loved it!
It’s a light, fluffy read, just not fluffy enough for me, I think.
It’s tough reading anything in these lockdown days, so I think the greatest recommendation is that this is the first of perhaps half a dozen books I’ve started the past couple of weeks that I’ve actually finished
Logging off by Nick Spalding was another amusing and very wittily written book. Thought provoking as well as funny, it certainly didn't disappoint.
In Nick Spalding’s own words ‘Logging Off is actually a book about people....’ and there were lots of interesting characters.
It’s certainly relatable to a lot of us I’m sure. How many of us are guilty of spending too much time on our phones, laptops and tablets perhaps neglecting people around us. Just one more game of Candy Crush, I must just check Twitter, I wonder what the latest reality star is up to now. We need to remember to live in the real world and appreciate the people and things in our lives.
Some of this was a bit far fetched but it certainly didn’t lack humour and originality.
Overall well written and gave me lots to think about.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Another title an author that were unfamiliar to me until I came across this on Netgalley. I was in the mood for a good humorous book so I was grateful when I was given the opportunity to read Logging Off. I really liked the premise of a needing to disconnect digitally in order to improve your physical health and mental well-being. Andy Bellows, a single mid 30's self-employed design artist is suffering from IBS, locked jaw, splitting headaches, high stress, and lack of sleep. When his symptoms flair up horribly during a job interview, Andy fears he has a terminal disease and finally decides to seek medical health. His doctor informs Andy that it isn't a disease at all, that he is suffering from too much time online and recommends a 2 month detox. It is the humorous and clever writing that took this basic storyline and turned it in to a fun, great read. I loved Andy's witty remarks and perspective. He is a likable character. I could laugh along with him through his failures and weaknesses, all the while cheering for him to succeed. I wanted him to feel better, to be successful in business, to get the girl. I really loved that this book didn't turn preachy about the downfalls of the internet. I felt it very successfully addressed issues from overuse online, but while also addressing favorable the positive benefits, My only complaint with this book was the use of the F-word scattered throughout the story. It wasn't heavily used, but I felt it was unnecessary and personally not something I like to find in the literature I read. Otherwise, great book that I really enjoyed reading.
Second book by Nick Spalding that I have read. Although the premise is good for the book, namely the main character decides to have two months logged off/away from his phone and social media, online gaming etc. it doesn't quite hit the mark for me. Starts off and ends well, just lulls a bit midway through. There are some good laugh out loud moments and I will certainly keep him on my 'must read' authors list.
This was a quirky, funny book hiding a very serious message. Andy Bellows suffers physically and emotionally from too much time spent online. He reluctantly decides to do a "digital detox" which leads him into a series of improbable, maybe overly hilarious situations as he tries to remember how to engage with the world out from behind the screen. With the help of new and old friends he gradually builds a different kind of life. While some of the humor was a bit too slapstick for my taste, overall this book did a thorough exploration of the role of electronics and the internet in our lives, and might cause us to take a look at whether we may be cutting ourselves off from the real world a bit too much.
The premise of this book was actually really funny. I liked the way the character was introduced via an app called HowUpooing. Essentially though this is a book about stress, screen time, and working. I feel like this is super applicable to this day where the only way we can keep connected in via screen. The way this book was written was very fun and light hearted nonetheless. It was an easy read that keep me entertained.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
This was a great departure from my typical romantic read. This was about people and their relationships with technology and finding balance. It made me smile in several places and I fully enjoyed the story.
Ever feel like you are slightly attached to your phone? Wonder where your time goes all day when you look up from Facebook? Have folks around you that are obsessive about their devices? This is a good, light read about Andy Bellows who decides to "log off" and detox from technology. What ensues are GPS free travel adventures, dining out without recommendations, lack of celebrity updates and falling in love! I enjoyed this quick read, found it funny and relatable. Thank you for the ARC!
Andy Bellows is a 36 year old freelance graphic designer and spends the majority of his life plugged in to some form of tech. Whether it be social media, video games, Tripadvisor, Google, Tinder or Candy Crush - his life is being taken over. When he convinces himself that he has a rare disease, he goes to see his GP. Who advises that he simply needs to do a digital detox for a minimum of two months. Reluctantly, Andy puts away his mobile, his iPad, the TV remote and games console. Suddenly he has more time to fill. And a crushing sense of disconnection with the world. But slowly, he starts feeling better, sleeping better and working better. And when his friend Fergus, writes an article about him, 'Logging Off', he realises that there are many hundreds of people all feeling the same way - that their lives are being taken over by tech. A chance meeting with Grace, a cafe owner, herself addicted to the online world, leads to a beautiful friendship. But Andy is horrified when he realises that he is seen as some kind of leader/influencer. Everyone wants to hear him say that life is wonderful when you log off. But the truth is not that clear cut. His life is better without a doubt, but he still misses certain aspects of the online world. At a meet and greet with the Loggers Off, he firstly tells them what they want to hear, but he starts to feel ill again with the stress of his half-truth. He finally finds the courage to speak from a place of truth, and that truth is that life is all about finding your balance. Which will be different for everyone.
Ultimately though, logging off led him to Grace, and their story is only just beginning.
A witty and wry look at the world of today, with a message that we could all probably benefit from listening to.
Once I’d gotten over the personal attack of this book (being a self-confessed tech-obsessed graphic designer, not unlike the main character...) I really enjoyed it and found it a very easy read. There are lots of relatable references which I - and the majority of the target audience I imagine - would enjoy, from Apple products to band names. It is a good commentary on today’s society and although the writing seems to exaggerate Andy’s reliance on technology for the purpose of narrative, there are an awful lot of similarities I found in my own life that made me think!
It’s a cutesy story with some allusions to serious issues with modern-day technology and how we interact with it. I enjoyed the book and had some laugh out loud moments. The romance aspect didn’t spark my interest at all, as it wasn’t anything new I’ve read in comparison to other books of a similar genre. I actually thought this part of the storyline moved focus from some of the powerful messages that could be taken away from this book.
Who needs a book right now that will have them lol’ing through out? Who needs a book right now that will suck you in so you can ignore all the that is sucking outside? We all do so I am so glad that I got Logging Off by Nick Spalding!!
This book had me in tears and left me with sore cheeks from laughing so hard!!! Nick is fastly becoming one of my favorite writers!!
Texting, tweeting, gaming and online dating—technology rules all our lives these days. Where would we be without our phones, the internet and social media, especially during the current pandemic? But have we become just a little too reliant? Andy Bellows and the lovely barista Grace certainly opened my eyes to what is most probably my overuse/addiction of screen time.
Logging off is an easy read, it'll make you giggle and remember times when we used a map, a telephone and even asked for directions. Definitely lessons to be learnt from this book.
Have you ever felt like you've spent too much time online, messing with your phone, or fiddling with some sort of newfangled tech gadget? That's exactly the realization that Andy Bellows comes to after suffering some serious physical and psychological ailments that were interfering with his life to the point of them causing him more harm than good. After much anguish, Andy accepts that he must put himself through a period of tech detoxing to see if that will be the cure for his many sleepless nights, poor bowel functions, lockjaw and an assortment of other disturbing ailments.
If you think it's as simple as that, than this book would be as short as the pamphlet that starts Andy on his mission to detox in Nick Spalding's book, Logging Off. That's just the beginning of Andy's detour off the superhighway along the path of a tech-free life for an intended two month period.
Along the way, Andy encounters a whole host of interesting characters he must contend with in the real world as opposed to the many sparkling alter-egos he is use to in the digital world of tech. There are also a host of adventures out into the wilds of life that aren't what he normally has to deal with while enjoying the conveniences of what he has just taken a break from during his period of detoxing. This is where much of the book tends to become a bit farcical, though it does make for some very comedic chapters.
This is not a tale disparaging the internet or anything tech related; however, it does allow one to take a serious look at how those wonders of the modern world can infiltrate and make one's life much more difficult than they were intended for. I don't know if that was Spalding's purpose for writing Logging Off, but it will have you contemplating their uses while having a laugh at the many foibles and conundrums Andy encounters during his quest to find a happy balance within his life.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the eBook for a fair and honest review.
I literally laughed out loud many times while reading this book. It took a little bit to get past all the "poo" stories in the first chapter or so, but once I did I was captivated. I am pretty hooked on social media and internet games myself, though not quite to the same extent as Andy, so I could relate somewhat to his detox pains. The "mishaps" that became revelations were entertaining, I mean who doesn't love a self-aware duck? Great book, I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
I really enjoyed this book- it was outside of my normal genre and I am not even sure why I picked it up, but I was glad I did. The story centers on Andy, a mid-thirties graphic artist who is addicted to social media. When a doctor tells him that this is literally hurting his health, he reluctantly agrees to taking time away from all of his electronics. His best friend happens to be a reporter who wants to write about his journey, which keeps Andy accountable and also opens the door to a lot of very funny situations.
I found the story to be charming- Andy is likable and real, and the others in the book were well developed too. The various things that happened in the book went between being relatable to being just outside of relatable in a way that made them hilarious. The writing itself is witty, and there were a couple times where I laughed out loud. It's also a quick read, and all the loose ends are tied up satisfyingly at the end.
I would recommend this book, even if you don't usually read this kind of light humor. I am going to pick up another of Spalding's books next time I branch out!
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely loved this book - it was just the right combination of comedy (I laughed out loud at the duck pond incident and Puggerlugs’ invasion of Andy’s flat) and a more serious message about the impact of modern life on mental health. I was rooting for Andy and hoping it would work out for him. I’ve never read this author before - I will certainly look out for more from him. Thoroughly recommend this book!
A really great read, that opens your eyes to how much internet consumption we do!
I really enjoyed this book and it had a lot of funny little stories within it. But I cannot stop thinking about the amount of reliance we have on the internet and I think that this could open up other peoples eyes to this too.
This was such an interesting and eye opening non-fiction read about the way social media can rule out life’s. This book is FULL of the authors humour as he attempts a full social media detox. I couldn’t put it down.
This came at a time when many of us feel that we might be spending too much time online. It was humorous and relatable (although not without a couple of entertaining tall tales). An easy read that I‘d recommend.
I've read quite a few Nick Spalding books in the past and was keen to read this one too. I was a little disappointed. The general idea is good, we are all guilty of spending too much time online and relying a little too much on the internet in every aspect of daily life. I did like the main character, Andy, however there wasn't a great deal of substance to his story overall. I found myself skipping past many parts of the book, he does go on a bit in some parts, that are not really relevant to the story. When the love interest comes into it, it does pick up the pace a bit. Overall, not a bad read, just feel that maybe it was aimed at a younger genre. Liked the link to his previous novel, Dumped, Actually in the story.
A refreshingly poignant and thought provoking book regarding living in a society consumed by social media and the like. An accurate, satirical depiction of modern day and uncomfortably relatable!
I don’t usually pick this type of genre but feel it was just what I needed- witty and hilarious with a somewhat more serious, thought-provoking undercurrent. As a result, I have been monitoring my screen time far more than I ever have done!
Thank you Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
Andy Bellows is suffering from many physical problems and his doctor recommends he stop using his electronic materials, his cellphone, email and his computer for anything but work. His friend, a newspaper writer focuses and article on Andy's activities, which garners a large audience and many admiring followers. This is a fast moving, funny and thought provoking novel that should be read by everyone.
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.
Logging Off is a fun, light-hearted read about the way technology has infiltrated almost every part of modern day life. Andy is spending far too much time on social media and using his phone, laptop etc, and it’s affecting his health. He decides to go on a 2 month technology detox, and realises just how hard it is to get rid of technology – but also how rewarding it can be!
I think a lot of us can reate to Andy, which makes this novel so engaging – I actively try to spend time away from screens after I’ve finished work, but I am aware that I could spend less time using social media and looking everything I need to know up online.
Andy is a likable character and his friends (existing and new) are similarly entertaining to read about. There are plenty of funny parts which made me smile, although there are also plenty of predictable moments, and after a while the humour felt quite same-y. However, this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book and I feel like, with a book like this, you expect there to be some parts where you can guess what will happen.
I realised afterwards that some parts of the story didn’t get resolved, but the ending felt right for this kind of book and it left my feeling uplifted.
I would recommend Logging Off to anyone who fancies a light, sweet read that will make you smile.
I have read several Nick Spaulding books and enjoyed them and this was no different. To start with I found the concept quite hard. Maybe it’s the guilt of my technology reliance especially during lockdown! But I was soon laughing away with Fergus and his escapades. A fun read
I have to say that I love Nick Spalding's voice in his novels. It feels like the main character is speaking directly to the reader; like he is a good friend who keeps you entertained at the exploits of his life. Such a wonderful book, that makes you evaluate your own screen time, and what effect it has on your life, but in a light not heavy handed way. I particularly enjoyed the subtle reference to his previous book, Dumped Actually. . You have got to give this author a try, you won't regret it. I look forward to his next offering.
This is such a good book to be reading at this moment with everything that is going on. We are following our main character Andy as he is getting ready for an important presentation. He starts off his morning like a lot of do with checking our phones and every social media platform that we are on. There's not much for us to do right now, but the first few pages of this book make you realize how much you are dependent on your electronic devices.
Yes not all of us have stomach issues like he does, but we dont always have to take our phones to the toilet. Bring a book if you don't want to stare at the wall. I have gotten a lot of reading done this way and it actually does work. This wasn't my favorite read, but it still did have some nice humor in it.
This story was a hoot. It was my first Nick Spaulding read and I plan tor read more of his stories. This should be required reading for all millennials and anyone who keeps their phone constantly in their hand or is always on social media. A real eye opener in that one can live without constantly being online!
Typical Nick Spalding, he doesn't disappoint. Funny and realistic, laugh out loud in places. Great pick me up for lockdown.
As someone who uses their smartphone all the time and is raising teens who do the same this was a great read about how one can live in their head and online and forget about living in the real world. Teaches a great lesson with a fun story.
Another fun and interesting read by Nick Spalding. Very enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc of this book for an honest review.
What a different book! This book really hit home with me as it will so many others. So many of us are caught up in an online world that will take over your life and all of your time if you allow it to.
The premise of “Logging Off” is a really good one. This book gives a pretty balanced look at doing just that. Interestingly written and weaving in a cute love story at the same time was genius.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. So many good concepts too, such as everyone “looking” like their life is perfect. The truth can be so different. This book was a lot of fun to read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early read.
You will enjoy this one!
Another cracking book from Nick. It is so current with everyone with their heads in a phone or tablet of some kind and as normal provided laugh out loud moments as well a lingering love story
If you're not a Luddite, you'll relate to this book. Who among us can't benefit from a lesser dependence upon technology? Andy is an extreme example. This chronicles his attempt at detoxing. The obvious (yet important) message was diluted for me somewhat by the abrupt sentences, though I'm sure that's how Andy talks.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.
Logging off took me a long time to get into it. It dragged on and I felt like telling the main character SUCK IT UP
I now understand why the character started out like a pain. It was so you the reader could see the change in him as he went through detox of tech. He became much nicer and easier to read then in the beginning. I honestly did not think I was going to finish it. I have several other books I am reading and this wasn't holding my interest until he started changing. I loved his outings and the crazy things he became involved in. His date was my favorite. The places and environment he starts to see because he isn't worried about what is on his phone. The characters he meets are too funny. Sometimes I just want to befriend him and tell to stop acting like a baby. The book changed as I did as a reader while going through his detox. What a great idea at a time when most of society is too involved in social media and really need to detox themselves from forms of tech. I would recommend this book. I just want to say to keep reading you will enjoy it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3360320186
Andy suffers terribly from anxiety, insomnia and a range of other mental health issues. The solution? Step away from all his beloved technology and just live in the real world for sixty days.
Nick Spalding’s novels always present great social commentary, this time abut the amount of time we spend online.
This book is definitely what you need right now in your life. Andy Bellows is addicted to his phone and lets face it technology as a whole! He is in self0destruct mode and has been told he has to follow doctors orders and take a step back from what he loves most - his mobile phone.
Follow Andy on his journey of a technology detox. From Him learning how to shop out in the wild with no apps to deliver his food or transport at a click of a button.
I really enjoyed this book. I mean it was funny but also hit home as well. I spend far too much time on my phone, especially on Social Media it made me really look about what is important whilst also making me laugh out loud. With a bit of romance that made me smile to several accidents that made me chuckle this book is definitely light-hearted and I liked that even though I know at times it has some serious incidents there is humour running throughout. It is definitely an eye opener and made me think about how much time I am sitting on my phone.
Definitely worth a read.
Found this book to be exhausting, and the whole 'being connected' aspect was driving up my anxiety to the point where it turned reading this book into something I wanted to steer clear of because it just ran and ran and ran and this felt exhausting! Plus the whole emphasis on poop at the start (once is okay and even funny and quirky, but it kept going on and on like a bad teenage joke) really didn't endear the writing, the character, or the story to me
I had only read one Nick Spalding novel prior to this, but very much enjoyed his flippant comedic writing. I was seriously worried in the beginning of this novel that it was simply going to be a regurgitation of that first read, but it turned out to just be some clever nods to his previous work.
Spalding's writing style is hilarious and realistic in its conversational style, making the interaction between characters and the internal monologues of Andy feel incredibly natural. This approach may be seen as some to be unpolished, but for me it was entertaining in a way that helped the personality of his characters really shine through. The characters themselves may be occasionally farcical, but they also have a ring of truth about them that create a bit of internal retrospection.
There were definitely a few moments of corniness and over-the-top drama, but it was all fun to read. This is a great book for those looking for some quick summer beach read fare. It is an entertaining story and cautionary tale all rolled up in one. And...once again, I will continue to seek out more of Nick Spalding's work so long as it keeps being this enjoyable.
This book made me laugh and it made me think about my own social media and presence online. Simple read and fast paced but something that I really needed at the moment. Really recommend it if you would like to have something light and fun to read.
Logging Off is a must read! Light-hearted and comical at times, but also very insightful. As an educator I have often told my students that social media can be deceiving. Nick Spaulding has shed light on this matter in a way that makes it personal. I will be recommending this to friends, family, and students!
This was a fun book to read making the topic of too much connected time easy to understand with a twist of comedy to it.. Everyone has heard the need to turn off the electronics but this resonated in a fun way.
To be honest... I didn't give this book a fair shot. I was very off put by the beginning. Anything that starts out talking, in detail, about bowel movements is not a book for me. Everything I read after that just annoyed me.
The beginning didn’t grab this 6th decade of life reader, as I already try to balance my logged-on time with life. One third of the way in, narrator and graphic artist, Andy Bellows starts his digital detox and things become much more amusing. “Being offline has made me slow down. An awful lot. My life feels like it’s being played at half speed. It’s very frustrating. Annoyingly, it’s also quite relaxing.” He reflects on how he’s had to interact with more people since he quit tech.
Spaulding comes up with some great word pictures. “I beetle my way down the A-roads...If you’ve never had the joy of traversing the B-roads of the United Kingdom, then allow me to fill you in. They are a living, hedgerow-covered hell. They are the Kardashian family of roads.” He writes of Thorngumbald, which I looked up. It’s a real village.
The plot is what one would expect, as far as Andy meets a woman and they have fun escapades together. By this time, I am truly enjoying this light read. I appreciate the reflections on social media, relationships, life and balance.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading about Andy and his digital detox. Fast read, funny, slightly far fetched story about ditching the internet and finding balance.
Always an enjoyable read, I have read several of Nick Spalding's books and they always make me giggle. His writing is easy to read and the characters are always relatable. The topic of a society that is constantly 'plugged in' is very apt!
Perfect reading for me as with this covid-19 I've been glued to every kind of media. Thought provoking, funny and relevant! It throws up lots of thoughts about how you'd cope without all the technology we use on a daily basis, I found the lack of sat-nav particularly funny and, for me, very relevant as i use it all the time..so what if??
I chuckled away all through the book and vowed to 'log off' more often myself. I just wonder if I'll cope?
Great book, thoroughly recommend to everyone!
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
If potty humor - literally, lots poop - doesn't hinder your ability to appreciate this book, you will find that it is full of many keen insights regarding our modern day dependence on technology. The contrast between the humor and the moments of understanding provides a good balance, each one keeping the other from becoming too much.
I appreciate Andy's ultimate realization that the goal is to find balance so that one can experience genuine connection with others; it is not a trite or easy answer like complete technology avoidance might be, but rather the more complex challenge of using technology intentionally.
I laughed out loud at many parts, and find myself still thinking about other more serious sections even weeks later in my own daily attempts to stay connected to both the world and those closest to me.
CAUTIONS
LANGUAGE: several uses of F***, as well as taking the name of God in vain
POOP humor: think Dumb& Dumber or teenage boy and you have the right idea, nothing too crass but be in the right mindset :)
Utterly brilliant.
Logging Off is, on the surface, a light-hearted romcom about a man detoxing from the online world and finding love, laughs and friendship in the real world outside. There is plenty of truth and food for thought hidden under the jokes about bowel movements and blind dates.
Andy, the first-person narrator, is adorable. Not only is his tech addiction (and hypochondria) eminently relatable, but so is his narrative voice – witty, wry, self-deprecating and full of the charming, hopeless helplessness exuded by Brits like Hugh Grant and (the fictional character, portrayed so well by Renee Zellweger) Bridget Jones in romcoms. Reading his story feels like having an intimate chat with your best mate; the one that can narrate their woes in a way that has you howling with laughter, even as you sympathise.
His ‘journey’ of giving up technology for a couple of months is made far more believable because the author doesn’t just show us a one-sided, Internet-is-evil argument. Instead we see that some of Andy’s trials are caused by the Internet, but just as many are caused by lack of it. It is a more nuanced take than I had expected from the tongue-in-cheek tone, and made me think about the issue much more deeply than a preachier take on the subject would have achieved.
Plus, Andy just doesn’t come across as the lecturing type. If anything, he’s more like Brian from Monty Python’s famous satire, trying to tell everyone to stop following him and think for themselves, with about the same effect for the most part!
A few of the side characters are just cyphers – the Instagram star, the conspiracy theorist – but the ones that got more than a bit part, like Grace, Fergus, Colin, Wilberforce and Puggerlugs are all great too… very memorable.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, easy read, with some romance, some laughs and some interesting takeaways about finding your own individual balance.
I’ve spent the morning googling digital detoxes to see if anyone can give me any advice that can help me.
The Internet is full of conflicting reports on their effectiveness. Some people swear by them, some people think they are the work of the devil.
This is no surprise.
I’ve already proved that one of the laws of the Internet is if you punch a load of symptoms into a search engine, it gets you diagnosed with terminal cancer every single time. Another law is that if you seek an opinion on a subject matter – any subject you like – you will get as much fulsome support for it as you do harsh criticism.
– Nick Spalding, Logging Off
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley and Amazon Publishing. The narrative looks at a very modern problem - how many times have you been out with friends to find they spend have their time with fingers twitching over the phone? How many times do you stay up late just to finish something online? Technology os overtaking Andy's life leaving him with both physical and psychological issues. He jettisons people in favour of online gaming until things deteriorate enough to send him to the doctor who prescribes an technological detox. His best friend, a journalist, decides to follow his journey reporting on it in a local paper.
What follows is an hilarious journey through life without the aid of facebook, twitter or google. There are times when Andy's inability to do something as simple as use a road atlas seemed a bit ridiculous but there are other parts that really did make me laugh out loud. However it is not only a story of hapless non tech life but also carries a message about building dependence on anything. It typifies the writing of Nick Spalding which I invariably enjoy, it is a really engaging and pacy read set in the climate of our times
On NG it is classified as Women's lit and I find this slightly confusing as its MC is male and its message is gender neutral. To me this book fits contemporary fiction and humour, although there was rather too much information about bowel movements for my liking it was overall a real escape from real life
Wonderful book about "unplugging" from technology. I really enjoyed this book. I think we could all learn a valuable lesson and spend more time together rather than on devices. This is my first book by the author. I look forward to reading more!
I loved this book! Such a funny look at modern life and how we have become slaves to the internet and how it stops us connecting with the world around us. Yes it was a bit cringeworthy in places, but somehow even those bits worked, I think we can all relate to someone like Ollie who can’t even order his tea without checking the reviews on the internet, I’m sure it would make a good gift for many people we want to give an unsubtle hint to.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgally for review purposes.
Four in a half stars!
Can I just say that I think this is the first humourous book that I found actually funny? I feel like it's so hard for comedy to come across well in books without either feeling dry or like they're trying too hard but this hit the sweet spot for me and I loved that.
BUT it was hard to read on a smartphone 😂 I consistently felt guilty the entire time since the whole book is about unplugging and a digital detox. Gotta admit though it did make me want to partake.
Quaint and charming with a lot of heart, this book goes by fast and has a wide set of whimsical characters. I found it entertaining and would read by this author again. Would recommend!
I found this book very entertaining and even laughed out loud at several parts. It is very relatable for those of us who find ourselves pushed into situations that are out of our comfort zone and wonder how in the world it happened. The main character just kept digging the hole deeper. I admit that I wasn't tempted to follow in his path, but I could definitely relate to the problem. It is one that a lot of people fall into. I would definitely suggest this book to all my friends.
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! That’s the sound of my toes being stepped on by Nick Spalding in his book “Logging Off”. The basic premise of the story is about a 30 something man named Andy who is suffering from a number of physical ailments. Andy visits his doctor to find out what is wrong with him (believing he has a very serious terminal illness based on his internet research) and is surprised to find out that there is nothing wrong with him and that his various ailments are being caused by his extreme addiction to the internet world. I know, how could that possibly be true? I didn’t believe it anymore than Andy did. The doctor recommends that Andy go on a 60-day digital detox and the remainder of the book is the story of Andy’s journey through the next 60 days. He suffers a lot of digital withdrawal, remorse for committing to such a foolish idea and misadventures caused by not having access to such digital tools as GPS and restaurant ratings. But along the way, Andy also finds a lot of positives that he had been missing out on when he had his nose buried in his phone or his tablet. Now to explain the “stepping on my toes” comment at the beginning of this review. I’m an older woman who did not grow up with digital technology so came late to the internet game. But I embraced the digital life with gusto. Ok, I’m not nearly as bad as Andy was when we first meet him in the book (or at least I don’t think I am) but it made me have some second thoughts about whether I was becoming too dependent on my iPhone, iPad and laptop to the exclusion of actually living my life. No, I’m not that bad – I swear I’m not……….. PS – I just went online and bought the rest of Nick Spalding’s books and downloaded them on my Kindle, of course.
Review was posted on Amazon, Goodreads, and the following Facebook readers pages: Women Reading Great Books; Book, books and more books; Sixties Plus Reading Room; I'm Not Obsessed, I Just Love to Read
This was an entertaining book about internet/tech addiction. The message is balance. I think the author did an excellent job in getting the readers to see themselves in this story. It has certainly opened my eyes about myself.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
What would be the symptoms of too much internet surfing? In LOGGING OFF, we learn many, some not mentionable in polite company. What we do learn is that living life off line has it's own unique entertainment value. Nick Spalding is a seriously entertaining writer. No subject is off limits and no one takes the relearning of face to face communication more to heart than a man whose diagnosis of his aches and pains changes according to which google version he sees at the time. This book is a quick read. The story moves from one mishap to the next and keeps the laughs coming at warp speed. Definitely a different kind of humor/ life story than we are used to.
I have two complaints about this book, neither of which can be fixed. My first complaint is that the chapters are too long. I found it hard to take breaks from reading at chapter breaks because they were so spaced out. My second complaint is that this book wasn’t long enough. When I say that, understand that the book is exactly the right length. It doesn’t end prematurely and it doesn’t drag out past the point where all plot points have been tied up and it’s clear the author is just trying to eke out a few more words. It really was the perfect length from a technical standpoint. The reason I say it was too short is because I enjoyed it so much that it made me sad when it ended.
I haven’t read anything else from Nick Spalding, but after reading this book, I am a fan—a follower, if you will. There are books that are amusing, while others are written specifically to be humorous, not necessarily having any other point. This book has a point, and it’s hysterical. On numerous occasions, I had to explain why I was laughing out loud. Told from the POV of Andy Bellows, a man with a very dry sense of humor, the narration is conversational and engaging. He is an everyday regular guy with a penchant for recognizing the absurdity in everyday regular occurrences. At one point, he tells the reader: “Look, I’m sorry, but I’m not making this stuff up.” He treats the reader as a confidante, someone with whom he can commiserate about the human condition.
Nick Spalding has some truly insightful observations about the internet and its effect on us, like when he makes this statement: “I’ve been so used to outsourcing my general knowledge to Google that when I have to fall back on the contents of my brain, I find that it’s a sluggish, stupid thing, with far less recall of facts than it should have.” Later, he says: “Has my brain been so starved of stimuli that it’s begun to critically evaluate the meat sack it’s being carried around in?” There have been many times when I’ve wondered the same thing as I pull up the thesaurus to remind myself of words that I once used with ataraxia (full disclosure: I’ve never even seen this word before).
Nick is also quite good with metaphors, which are always quite funny, like this one: “The irony is so thick, I keep expecting Alanis Morisette to jump out of the bathroom cabinet and hand me some toilet paper.” Or this one: “My kitchen looks like several wars zones have been through it, on their way to the pub.” And this comparison made me chuckle out loud, which again prompted the need to explain why I was laughing: “..the band start(s) to play what I can only describe as the sound of a large brass band falling down a flight of stairs.”
There’s a scene where Andy imagines a duck is talking to him, although the only word he keeps repeating is “duck,” that had me clutching my sides as I laughed. But the best part of that was when he asked someone else if the duck was saying “duck” and the person assured him the duck said “quack.” The duck says “duck, duck,” in “agreement” and Andy tells the reader, “But I can tell the little bastard is lying.”
I could go on quoting all of the parts of this book that I found especially funny, but suffice to say, the book is a treasure trove of amusement. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. In fact, I’d say this one goes to eleven. I loved it and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys laughing. Thank you Netgalley!
Funny and probably what we all need, is a good tech detox to learn how to function again without it.
The character, Andy, has some pretty cringeworthy moments, but him walking away and realizing how he can go with a lot less, shows how we’ve all become easily addicted to that blinking cursor and flashy screens.
Good read.
*I received this ARC from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.
I really didnt get along with this book. I found the chapters too long, the character was actually quite annoying and the story just dragged. Not funny at all and very boring. Not the book for me
Overall this was a cute and humorous read that was also excessively wordy in parts and I found myself skimming at times. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Great writing, fabulous plot.
The book flowed so well and throughly enjoyed this
Thank you to both NetGalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book
Couldn't put it down and finished in the sunshine in a day. Another great book by Nick Spalding. Have loved all of his books.
This was an entertaining story that pitted out just how attached we are to our devices and Internet these days. Andrew Bellows is a graphic designer who loses a client because of some pretty serious health issues. When he sees his doctor, assuming the worse, he is told that he needs to go on a "digital detox" to solve his problems. What follows is filled with clarity as he goes from a life completely plugged in to one that is unplugged. A humorous look at something that is becoming an issue with many in the digital world we live in.
I was excited to read about someone taking the plunge into life without electronics. It's something that a lot of people struggle with. Unfortunately, that sot lost amid a lot of juveniles humor. This one fell flat for me..
This was my first Nick Spalding book, and I really wanted to like this book. Because I found the premise so interesting and something I don’t usually pick up. I found the story a little underwhelming and I just couldn’t get behind the main character. Absolutely no shade to the author; I just think that I wasn’t the target audience for this: I just felt like the pacing was slow and by the time I got 50% to the book I was ready to never pick it up again.
Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this opportunity.
Such a fun book! Loved the way it was written- bright and interesting but also fun! What a brilliant, beautiful, feel-good, heartwarming book!
Andy Bellows is in a terrible state. He can’t sleep, has horrible IBS and his jaw gets locked at the absolutely worst moments. He has anxiety and neck pain and just cannot figure out what to do. So off to his doctor he goes and there is nothing physically to blame - his doctor diagnoses a problem with his spending too much time connected to his electronics. The cure — a digital detox... a complete cessation of all use of electronics for two months. What happens after Andy’s appointment with the doctor is a humorous journey, through the analog world around Andy and the people he meets along the way.
Logging Off is both an enjoyable piece of fiction about one man who spends too much time on-line, and a commentary on how our society’s is too tied into technology and social media and the effects this has on us all.
Nick Spalding did an excellent job on this novel, tackling a topic we all need to think about... and perhaps make some changes our selves.
Andy Bellows spends most of his day online in some capacity. He is connected to the world through multiple social media accounts, and uses the internet to guide his way through everyday tasks such as dinner delivery, navigation, shopping, and staying in touch with his parents. Andy also suffers from horrifying bouts of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and has recently been experiencing debilitating bouts of lockjaw and neck and upper arm pain. After searching his symptoms online and receiving the news that his symptoms all (of course) indicate serious health concerns, he sees his family doctor who recommends a digital detox. Andy is miserable enough to follow this advice and is surprised to realize how connected he was and much he has missed due to being hidden behind a screen.
I loved the messages in this book: the need for balance with devices, the need to understand that social media personas are not really who they appear to be, and how much "real" people are losing due to connectivity. What grossed me out was the very descriptive passages of Andy's IBS episodes and his fixation with anything defecation related. There were parts of this book I slogged through and other parts I recorded quotes from because I could completely relate to Andy's struggles and opinions of social media and the use technology. I am going with a higher "star" rating because I think the messages need to be out there and I think someone looking for something completely "different" should consider this book.
Loved this book! It's about a guy who is having health issues and he goes to the doctor and the doctor basically says to take a break from the internet. So funny to read this at a time when I've been thinking that it's a great time to take a break from influencers and the like. The story follows him as he literally navigates without google and has to talk to people and go shopping out in the wild. It was great. Finished in a day sitting in the sun on my patio and laughed out loud multiple times. It has a great message.
"All I can do at this point is follow my own advice, and live my own life. Make my own decisions. And remember to always think for myself, instead of letting other people - or the internet - do it for me."
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in return for my honest feedback.
Suffering from Insomnia, Anxiety and Neckache, Andy Bellows is convinced that something is seriously wrong with him and his doctor agrees with him: Andy Bellows is diagnosed with a severe addiction to technology what's with the constant texting, tweeting, online-dating, online-gaming and giving up the control on his life to the tiny apps that reside in his gadgets. Now, he is forced into following the doctor's orders and step away from them.
Left to live his life as a neanderthal- constantly searching for food to engaging with normal people, Andy's about to discover how bewildering analogue world can be.
Until one day, his sixty-days detox hits the pages of the local newspaper, grabbing the attention of the other technophiles. Narrated through his POV, the story moves on to explore if Andy Bellows will be able to survive this detox, giving up the sense that has become nearly as important as the primal ones: technology.
'Logging Off' adds to its appeal of entertaining and relaxing prose: a relevant, humorous, satisfying and thought-provoking plot for today's era, well mastered into reaching high above the expectations and with the message to find a balance between the analogue & the technological world, presiding over all of our lives. This is every bit of that book that one can enjoy to their heart's content. The characters in the story are crafted to relate to every one of us and plays their role perfectly. Based on our dependency on technology, the humour in the book feels satirical and will make you LOL through the entirety of it. "It is funny because it is true" is the case when it comes to this book!
Spalding's writing style is catchy and light, making the worst of the situations soft and hilarious. There is just something so relaxing about this read and I give all the credit to Nick's writing style. Every page flip feels so smooth and captures you within its pages!
I enjoyed every bit of this story wholeheartedly and it is a quick, hilarious, light and a necessary read that everyone must check out!
A brilliant novel that makes the modern reader think seriously about whether life would be better joining the off net cult or not... but it all feels too scary and analogue to so do.
I treated the book as it was intended, as a satire rather than a life guide and ended up happy and entertained by it.
Well worth your time reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy for review. I have been trying for several months to get through this book. I've picked it up and put it back down and tried to return to it, and it just does not resonate with me. After about 1/2 of the book, I can see that the writing style instills the same sort of feeling of anxiety in the reader as the main character is experience, hence the reason for his digital detox. While I can definitely see the benefit of that in my own life, and appreciate the sentiment, the writing was just a little too much for me. Too much time spent on describing the bodily functions of the main character, and lingering in scenes a little too long, that I found myself longing for it to end and never found the humor. Despite the fact that we've all probably (and are) an Andy, or know one, I didn't get any sense of why I should care about him. He wasn't a very likable character and I could not find myself wanting to root for him enough to finish.
Im afraid I found this a hard book to finish. To be fair its not my usual genre but I have enjoyed Nicks books in the past. It was all a bit slow for me.
This is the story of Andy Bellows who is online for everything … Literally. There is nothing he does without checking online, from the weather to trains to what to eat. He follows influencers like they are the queen. But what Andy doesnt realise is that his whole world is about to change when he has to visit the doctor. Andy suffered with IBS and Neck pain and the doctor advised him it could be due to the amount of time spent on an electronic device.
What follows is an hilarious account of Andy's life as he tries to live with no electronic devices - no maps on his phone… in fact no phone.. No technology at all. This book had me laughing out loud and wondering how we would all cope, especially when Andy has to go on a journey and gets lost! Andy has to use a paper map and this is totally alien to most people today, Andy does not fare well.
The writing style is brilliant and not once did I know what was coming next. Nick portrays the characters so well and each one is loveable even when they are not what they should be. Bloody brilliant and I highly recommend this.
In this story we meet Andy, who literally lives his entire life online, he is a man obsessed with everything to do with the internet, he monitors his health and self diagnoses his minor ailments. When his doctor orders him to step away from his online life and to start engaging in real life, Andy takes the plunge but can be really step away from this current Self-destructive lifestyle.
A funny and heartwarming read, which really makes you think about how much you are spending online. A great read
This was definitely not the store for me. I couldn't find anything about this story that captured my attention besides the feeling of being anxious from reading it or having to go back to it. Took me way longer to get to 56% of this book and so I didn't finish.
Logging Off by Nick Spalding
3.75/5
This was a wonderful read that had a commentary on social media, and technology as a whole. It was funny, adorable, and interesting all in one!
Andy Bellows is extremely connected to technology, and suffers from a few chronic diseases. Upon a visit to his doctor, he is diagnosed with technology addiction and recommended to go on a technology cleanse. There is hilarity that ensures, as well as some profound understanding of what living with technology is like.
I enjoyed the way that Spalding uses Andy’s inner thoughts and we get to see his blunt thought process throughout the novel. All in all, this was a great read commenting on finding the right balance of living life in the technological world.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this e-book.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you are searching for a book that will give a good and proper laugh, then look no further! After having read many sad and emotionally tense books this past month, this was a breath of fresh air and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it that I finished it in only two sittings. A big five star from me!
Nick Spalding did it again! If you want the book that will make you laugh so much you pour juice through your nose. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a little happiness in their life.
Gah! What a fantastic take on our obsession with social mediums and being "connected:..I felt seen! Witty and painful truth with a heaping dose of humor.
I enjoyed this book however it wasn’t my favourite out of all of this authors books. That being said it still made me laugh out loud in parts and I loved the characterisation. A 3.5 from me.
Andy Bellows is a techie maniac if such term even exist. Grocery shopping, traveling, sleeping and even his bowel movements is monitored by his phone. Plagued with insomnia, neckache and severe jaw twitching he thinks something is extremely wrong with it maybe cancer as suggested by Google again. His doctor agrees that something is wrong with him but it is not cancer. It is his addiction to technology which is self destructive.
Prescription: Stay away from online world for sixty days. But then is it possible? How do you order grocery? How do you travel somewhere without Uber or GMaps? How do you communicate with people? And what happens when online detox become the headline of a local newspaper and people starts follow and idolize Andy and seeks him for advice? Because if you don't know yet Andy Bellows doesn't like to talk people.
Review-
This book talks about a serious problem which is very much real but in a hilarious way. I could connect with Andy on so many levels. The way he was addicted to twitter, read news online, checking Instagram lives, idolizing someone on social media. Aren't we all the same?
Just thinking about not using my mobile for sixty days gave me goosebumps and anxiety! It just shows how real and true the plot of the story is.
I love the way how author has describe simple incidents which we don't even think about doing without internet and turning them into hilarious accidents. Even you feel it can happen with you anytime but Andy Bellows just take the crown for being funniest because of his inner monologue.
Andy Bellows is a very ordinary character a 30 year old man addicted to social media, can't talk to people in real life, lying to get out of confrontation. It can be you, me or anyone right? But what makes him stand out in the book is his clumsiness, his misfortune and his ability to accept his mistake and the will to overcome his fears.
Author even shows us the reality of social media. How we perceive things on internet and how much they are real in real life. How we give importance to certain inessential things.
We all are becoming way too dependent on internet and on our phones and if you want to know how deep troubling it is you have to read this book. But don't worry you will be laughing throughout the book. This book will make you aware about your usage of internet while you shed laughing tears.
An entertaining look at how dependent we can become on the Internet and live our lives virtualy, rather than in the real world. Our hero suffers from all sorts of Health issues and his doctor prescribes a digital detox. He has some amusing challenges along the way and made discoveries such as who knew Google Maps was such an essential item that we can no longer get anywhere without it! He starts Living in the real world and instead of following People, makes real Friends. He learns that our lives are improved by some of the apps and sites, but it is only an enhancement, not the complete deal. Makes you consider your own amount of screen time!
I absolutely loved this book. It had me laughing out loud from beginning to end and without giving too much away had me thinking I should do a "digital detox" myself. Brilliant, witty read!!
I wanted to enjoy this book. It looked like it was going to be something different, and the premise was interesting. However, the tone was off for me. I didn't like the point of view character, and I found the writing irritating. This was not for me.
This was a fun read and made me think about whether I could really ‘log off’. It’s not my usual kind of read but was enjoyable and made me laugh
I loved Dry Hard! I liked this one also, but not as much.
The writing style was spot on. The comedy was there - over the top, cringeworthy and laugh out loud. It was just the main character that I found a bit lacking. I think I would have liked this a bit more if Andy had been 26, not 36. He just seemed to naive and immature to be almost 40.
I did warm up to him more as the story progressed and he started to mature a bit. It was a great premise that had many humorous moments and a few touching ones as well.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy in exchange for a review.
A fun, laugh out loud read that doesn't lose it's spark. Funny from beginning to end and a genuine joy to read.
I wanted something lighthearted after reading too many psychological thrillers on the bounce. So, enter Logging Off by Nick Spalding. It is so light and funny to read. I don't think my partner appreciated me chuckling in bed at 11.30pm!! Its the second book I have read of his, and the humour and style of writing is second to none!!
I received a copy for an honest review. But then I did see the book was in Audio and I heard it.
I really enjoyed my first time reading from this author, and knowing that it had to do in the life we live today all digital. How can I disconnect myself? Made me realize a lot how we now cannot live without the internet, when we were growing up, I didn't have all this. Internet addiction. Something we all should read and separate ourselves.
I really enjoyed the book.
Any book that can make me laugh while being totally relatable will have my attention. With today's world being so digital, we all too often forget to "log off". This book was a great reminder that we need to log off, unplug, and reconnect with the world to find ourselves.
With a relatable main character addicted to the internet, this book had me interested. This book is both very real, but also very funny. Nick Spalding writes humour brilliantly, whilst also delivering a book with a message about technology addiction.
Step into this book expecting some laughs, but also some hard truths about the world we live in today!
A very cute novel about struggling with online addiction. Spalding never disappoints.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
This one didn't do it for me. It was well written and at times humorous, making me laugh out loud. Unfortunately, I never connected with the main character.
I’be loved all Nicks books and this is no exception, Nick’s books always make me laugh out loud. I Loved this book not only because of the comedy but also for the message behind it.
This was a laugh out loud read for me. Very relatable subject about our addiction to all things tech. I'm not sure I could cure my addiction to my phone! Well written and very funny as always by Nick Spalding.
I haven’t read Nick Spalding for years so looked forward to this.
Andy is constantly online, like many of us, and it’s not until he gets some unpleasant symptoms and goes to the doctor that he entertains the idea of a digital detox.
His friend is a journalist and writes some articles on his detox which prove very popular.
The detox is eventful and in a couple of months Andy’s life has changed. Ironically, he is now influencing other people, despite being offline.
I found some parts of the story quite funny and it’s a light, quick read. I liked the characters and there’s an eclectic mix! The romance was a little predictable, but as I liked the characters I didn’t mind too much. The ending was good and not rushed.
The story made me think of how much we rely on technology, probably a lot more than we realise. As the story says, it’s important to find the balance.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for an advance copy of this novel for review.
For the last several weeks, while we’ve been at home, away from our friends and families and schools, most of us have relied on technology to keep us informed, educated, and connected. But while technology has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages—as one man learns in author Nick Spalding’s Logging Off.
Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery
Hmm. I'm not actually sure how I felt about this one. It wasn't really what I had expected, but I do think it will find readership at my library. I've ordered a copy for patrons. Thank you!
Not what I would normally read. I passed this one onto my husband who I think will enjoy it more. I didn't enjoy some of the scenes.
I think we can all relate to the main character Andy as he struggles with his addiction to social media. A funny, quick read that had my husband always asking me why I was giggling out loud!
Such a relevant story line, I cannot even remember the last time I logged off! Very timely story, with just enough humor and wit thrown in. Would definitely recommend!
This book fits perfectly with the current times. The main character is addicted to technology, and his doctor has him take a break from his phone for 60 days. This is a cute story that tells how Andy adapts to life without his phone all the time.
Overall, this story was cute, but it just wasn't for me. I walked away from the story a few times because I was just not as invested in the storyline as I wanted to be, but I did eventually finish. If you need a filler book and don't know what to pick up, this one is a decent enough story to tide you over.
Andy has a serious problem. He's addicted to technology. The cure? Logging off!
After you get as stressed as Andy during the first chapters of the book, the story is hilariously funny as Andy navigates his life without the help of Google and co.
Graphic Designer, Andy Bellows is suffering. Lately his body has been trying to tell him something and by the short Google symptom search he just did he is convinced it's cancer, more than likely fatal. When the folks on his forum tell him that he should probably see a doctor Andy books an online appointment. After a quick examination, Andy's doctor knows exactly what is wrong with him...the internet. He's told that his headaches, stomach issues and insomnia are all from excessive use of technology and is prescribed a digital detox. 60 days, no phone, no iPad, no nothing. Even though Andy is not convinced this will actually help he is willing to try anything at this point to get his health back in order. As you can imagine this is when the fun begins, Reader. "Logging Off" provides perspective on exactly how much we rely on technology in our day to day lives. Need to go somewhere? GPS. Want to order take-out? Need to find the phone number for that. Wondering what the weather will be like today? There's an app for that. Nick Spaulding's casual, light-hearted writing style leads Andy on some mad adventures while he attempts to live a life untethered for 3 months. If you can get past the potty-humor (literal & figurative) then give "Logging Off" a read. Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review...and no the irony that I read this book on a device wasn't lost on me.
Quick read easy to get through, great for a light hearted read but one to get into to.
Filled with the usual humour you would expect from this Author, I would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy weekend read where you don't need to think to much about the storyline.
When you pick up a Nick Spalding book you know what you're getting! Slapstick comedy, madcap, crazy scenarios, crazy, quirky side characters and a usually neurotic, sarcastic, male main character who lurches from one disaster to the next. And underneath all the humour there is usually an underlying message of some sort.
The message in Logging Off is that we send too much time on our technological devices and it is no good for our physical and mental health. Main character Andy Bellows has IBS that rears its head at some unfortunate moments (cue a lot of poo jokes!) And suffers from neck pain and lockjaw. He is addicted to technology and when his doctor suggests a digital detox for 60 days he is not mad keen!
We follow Andy on his journey to technological freedom and actually it really did highlight how reliant we have become on devices and how much we avoid contact with other humans, preferring to hide behind a screen.
I'll be honest, it isn't my favourite book by Spalding but it was funny, enjoyable and entertaining with likable characters and laugh out loud moments. And it did make me briefly consider putting my phone down a bit more, until I had to pick it up again to write this review!
I think that most of us can relate to this book, always being sucked into social media. Andrew just can't seem to log off of Facebook and Twitter. He swears he has cancer, so he goes and consults with his doctor, who advises him to take a digital break. Like a detox!!
Now that we're all stuck at home this book seems to relate.
A cute, quick, light read. My biggest critique was that much of the plot, particularly the romantic subplot felt very predictable.
This is cheerful and lightweight with some funny lines and gags and a few antic bits. Some surprisingly sharp and edgy episodes, (our hero's sales pitch at hyper cool Fluidity), are balanced by a fair amount of toilet humor. It's heart is in the right place and it's earnest without being preachy, so the end result is amusing.
I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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”. )
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Really enjoyed this read, a modern novel that helped me escape for a few hours!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.
I find it funny to read a book like this on my phone, the book is about getting away from your phone, and i'm just on my phone reading it like oh yah you're right phones are bad, haha, just a food for thought. Nick Spalding's books always have stuff cute covers yet i have yet to read any of them before now, and now i think i'll tackle a few more of his soon. Love that it's set in the UK and it has a few laughs along the way.
Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.
Sometimes what we read is a hit. Sometimes it's a miss. For me, Logging Off was a miss.
Logging Off follows Andy Bellows, a graphic designer who is completely addicted to social media and the internet. When he starts developing some health problems, his doctor suggests Andy should take a break. Andy then decides to go on a complete detox from technology.
Logging Off is an interesting book in the sense that it shows how reliant society has become to our cell phones and social media. We wake up and check Twitter or Instagram, check online ratings for restaurants we want to eat at, swipe on dating apps, and rely on GPS for the fastest, most efficient route to where we are needing to go. Technology fully runs nearly every aspect of our lives.
So while the social commentary on our addictions to technology and social media was an interesting concept, the humor within the book is what killed it for me. British humor is something you either love or hate, and I think you can tell by my rating which category I fall into. That's not to say that there weren't parts of the book that were funny, because there were! But way too much of it was immature. I didn't need so much about Andy's bowels and IBS details included. I know there are people out there that enjoy this level of humor, but I prefer a higher level of intelligent humor.
I don’t normally give my time and attention to books by white male authors, but this was the first book I requested on NetGalley because I love toilet humor and have severe IBS. I found the writing impressive and easy to follow, and the story was funny and intriguing. I recommend
Have you ever thought that technology is taking over your life? If that is the case, then this book may be a good read for you. There is plenty of dry humor and sarcasm. Sometimes it's way over the top but it will also have some scenes that will keep you laughing. The best part of the book it is that it may help you reflect about your own life balance. How much time are you spending in the cyber world? Do you still connect with friends and family in a non-technological sort of way. If you overlook some of the "not likely to happen to you" scenes, then this book may open your eyes to your own quality of life.
I'm giving a 3-star review to be fair to the author because I did not finish reading it. I really liked the idea of this book. We all need to log off of technology and get back to living our lives. The first part of the book is something everyone can relate to - checking FB, then IG, then weather, then texts, etc. It was humorous, but also a reminder to put your electronics down and live your life. This is the first book I've read by this author. There were parts that were humorous, but also parts that were pretty crass. Because of that, I was not the right reader for this. I will not post a review in other areas to be sure it doesn't skew the overall rating.
Genuinely entertatining and a relatable character. Always enjoy the author's characters and they never feel to entertain.
Absolutely hilarious! Nick Spalding is back on top form with Logging Off. I could relate to poor Andy but a digital detox can only be a good thing, right?
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