Disconnected

This is the first book I’ve read by Emma Gannon, and I became an instant fan of her writing. She has a great style of writing that’s very conversational, and I really enjoy that type of writing. As far as the subject matter goes, Gannon writes about something that I can relate to, which is being a millennial and growing up seeing the internet explode. She writes about how “disconnected” we are due to social media and technology, and gives a lot of practical and actionable advice for living a better life in the online age.

Personally, I’ve read countless books about how social media has made us more disconnected than ever. So, there was a lot of information and research that I was well aware of. But, where this book stands out is Gannon’s nuanced approach to the topic. She doesn’t stand on some high ground saying that social media is the devil and we need to eliminate it. She recognizes the benefits but recommends we use it in moderation and recognize certain feelings that arise as a result of regularly using social media.

If social media drives you nuts, makes you depressed, anxious, or afraid of being canceled this is a great book that you should check out. It’s fairly short, and you’ll most likely gain some value from it. Now, I’m going to buy some of her other books to see what else she has to say on other topics.

“According to the online magazine “Inc.”, we tap, swipe and click on our phones 2,617 times per day.”

Emma Gannon narrates the audiobook version of her latest book, “Disconnected”. She reads flawlessly. The clarity of her diction, her tone and reading speed make for a pleasant listening experience.

“Disconnected” is a book which I believe will benefit anyone who spends time on the internet and who has a social media account. It’s not about digital detoxing but rather about making your time on social media count so your days and nights are not reduced to endless scrolling.

Gannon writes about the importance of living in the present, spending time connecting with your loved ones offline and doing more of the things which make you happy, in order to live a more balanced life.

“Disconnect” is wise, considered, practical and well written. It includes frequent prompts, allowing you to reflect on your own use of time. It is food for thought for anyone who experiences internet fatigue and others who are frustrated with the lack of freedom and quality time in their days due to ingrained social media habits. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I enjoyed Disconnected by Emma Gannon so much! What a brilliant and relevant topic to talk about in such a profound and personal way! As everything is so technologic these days, the vast majority of us, I imagine, would have a hard time going without cell phones, computers, social media accounts, email, etc. Ai is the a wave of the future. Are we becoming like machines? Losing our humanity?

Disconnected examines multiple topics regarding many of devices above, and the entrapment many have been consumed in (even more so since mandated isolation through the pandemic). She offers tangible tips (through prompts in the book) and advice for those of us who might feel a little lost and are looking to find our real-life selves again.

Disconnected is an eye-opener. Informative, intuitive, perceptively it's right on point, I found the book to helpful and thought provoking.

The author, Emma Gannon, was also the audio book narrator, and her voice was inspiring and a pure joy to listen to. I would listen to anything she would write/narrate.

This was a sensational book, relatable on every level!
5 STARS!

My thanks to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Audio, and Emma Gannon for an AAC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own..

My first book by the author was a wonderful surprise and I will certainly be reading her other books. I had fun browsing her website and just signed up for her newsletter, too. Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for making this available – what a great read!

Dis-Connected by Emma Gannon is a quick listen (~2 hours) about how we navigate the digital world, in a practical way where we attempt to maintain real connections with others in both the real and digital worlds. It’s like a gentle wake-up call (think those alarm clocks that gradually brighten) and check on your online habits with practical and realistic prompts for how to maintain a balance in how you consume and participate in the land of digital. It’s not preachy nor does it ask you to overhaul your life. It’s asks you to hold a mirror up to yourself but doesn’t shame you for being a human in the digital age. It’s quite well done! Adding this to my list of favorite non-fiction books of 2022. Add this to your TBR for May 31 and in the meantime, check out her podcast or newsletter.