Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Goodbye Phone, Hello World by Paul Greenberg examines just how much we, as humans, spend on our smart phones, and provides insight on how we can better use our time. This book made me smile, reflect, discuss, and question how I currently use my device, how my usage impacts my relationships with others, and what offerings Greenberg provides would I implement in my phone usage practice. To me his most interesting recommendations were reading, learning a language, and also volunteering to support environmental cleanup.

While I think the topic of disconnecting from cell phone usage is starting to become overly popular, I thoroughly enjoyed how Greenberg quantifies the average person’s daily usage and how that time can be otherwise used. Greenberg uses numerous articles, medical journals, philosophies, authors, etc. to support his recommended activities. At times, I wish I heard more of his voice over the supporting arguments. But, with the context of trying to convince someone to depart from their beloved smart phone, I think the academia support further proved Greenberg's intentions.

This is a great book for someone interested in practicing more mindful activities, disconnecting from technology, and/or wanting to invest in a new hobby but can’t quite “find the time."

This book was very inspiring. I’ve been wanting to cut down my phone time for a long time now. This book was easy to read and contains a lot of handy tips. I also love the layout from this book.

Paul Greenberg presents an inspiring view on technology as a distraction from real life. Even if you aren't willing to commit to disconnect from tech, the messages are meaningful. Spend more time doing what you love to do with people you love,

This book providing lots of practice advice and feedback. A much needed book in today’s society! I would recommend this to anyone looking for ways to cut back on digital consumption.

An epidemic is silent and generally harmful to masses. It slowly harms from inside leaving many hollow souls.
Digital addiction is such epidemic. No one is spared and people are hopelessly addicted to their smartphones.
This is a beautiful Book. Book formatting is wonderful. A clean and soothing page appears after every page.
Author discusses various things that humans can do to set themselves free.
He himself went to the extent that he bought a flip phone.
A very good book which is easy on mind. It is full of useful insights and free of useless page filling that we generally see in self help books.

‘Goodbye Phone, Hello world’ explains what to do with all those newfound hours you suddenly get when you ditch screen time and why you should do it in the first place.

I am a phone addict, I admit it. I often go through phases in which I reduce phone usage to a minimum, get a a lot done and then slowly bad habits start to creep back in until I feel its too much and I cut down again. ‘Goodbye Phone, hello world’ was useful reminder explaining what you could do if you don’t spend your days glued to the screen and I appreciate it for that. Nevertheless, in terms of books critical of phone usage, I believe there are better options out there, such as ‘Digital minimalism’ by Cal Newport and ‘How to break up with your phone’ by Catherine Price. The author also endorses a very radical approach of getting rid of the smartphone completely when a softer approach might be more feasible for most people.


Thank you to Negalley for granting me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

An eye opening look at how much time we spend connected to our phones computers etc.A book with really good ideas how to disconnect how to enjoy life without the constant distraction.A guide to reclaiming you’re life,#netgalley#chroniclebooks

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This short and to the point book offers ideas on how to disconnect from your electronic devices and get back to focusing on what really matters in life. The author pulls information from other books and research, which will be beneficial to the average reader. I think I have read too many books on this subject recently so a lot of this was repeat information. Overall, this is a pretty good book.

This book was a breath of fresh air as it presented the problem: distraction from living life to the fullest. Identified the root of the issue: technology overuse. And continued to provide a method to free ourselves from the chains technology, unfortunately, sometimes traps us in. I think I especially appreciated reading this book right now because I am 19 weeks pregnant with our first child and reading about the author's interactions, or lack of, with his own son was a wake-up call to both myself and my husband. Paul Greenberg did extensive research and I especially enjoyed when he would include facts about how much time the average individual wastes on their phone.

I have seen other authors attempt to write about this same topic but none of those works seemed to leave such a lasting impact upon me. This is a book I would be pleased to buy when it is released and one I would read again, recommend to friends, and implement in my workplace.

What an eye opening read. This book really breaks down how much time, on average. we are glued to our phones. I know myself, I am definitely in need of a "break up" with my phone. Its staggering really, to think about how much time is wasted or lost by having our eyes glued to the screen. I found this book to be very thought provoking, I will definitely be examining my own habits and see how I can break up a bit with my phone.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this short, simple book, author Paul Greenburg explains his personal journey of letting go of his smartphone after realizing how many moments it had stolen between him and his son. The book begins with his spare, moving reflections about this, and then transitions into chapters about how to recover from smartphone overuse. Each one addresses a different life category, but in all of them, he quotes from Eastern thinkers, shares research and quotes about the cost of digital overuse, and encourages practical life habits for unplugging.

In each chapter, Greenberg suggests a variety of alternative activities and lifestyle habits that people can choose instead of using their phones. Some of these were less practical than I had hoped, since not everyone can conceivably go on long-distance cycling and sailing trips, or travel around the world, but he does make apt cost comparisons for those who do have that capability and choose to spend their time and money on digital distractions. And, overall, his ideas focus on practical suggestions for basic lifestyle changes and improvements, like reading, memorization, exercising without depending on smartphone apps, and spending more meaningful time with other people.

Throughout the book, as he cites persuasive research about the costs of digital technology, he always remains hospitable to people who feel overwhelmed at the thought of changing. He never shames people for their choices, and this book provides a gentle, easy path for someone to become more familiar with the costs of technology without feeling doom, gloom, or panic. Also, as he mentions, even though there are lots of great books available that critique the digital world, many of them are too long and complex for the average smartphone addict to read. Here, he provides a simpler introduction to the topic, sharing some of the most important findings and insights from his reading. The book's citations will provide a guide to further reading for anyone who is interested in more, but this is all that some people will want or need, and I'm glad that it's available here.

This book's appealing design, simple layout, and practical suggestions will make it a winner for anyone middle school age and older who wants to reevaluate their relationship to technology and decide on practical ways to recover or create habits that are more healthy and meaningful for their mind, body, and relationships. I'm glad that this book exists, and it would pair well with "How to Break Up with Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life" for anyone who is interested in a more in-depth game plan for defeating tech addiction.

Very much enjoyed this quick read because of Paul Greenberg's to-the-point approach to disconnect from our digital world. This book has a great balance of real-world examples, simple tips you can begin to apply today + inspiring quotes to emphasize potential accomplishments that can be achieved by putting down our smart devices.

I would suggest this book to someone who is "digitally addicted" or wants to be mindful in their digital consumption.

I really enjoyed this book and the statistics it gave me, shocked me. It has made me realise how dependant we are of our phones and yes, I did used to go out and not need a phone to meet up! I liked the illustrations that were created too.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

What a beautiful book, both pictures and words. Inspiring, thought provoking, so profoundly well designed. I loved it and it has motivated me to think about my own device use. This book is hard to wrap my head around during the pandemic — I think its message would do better once the world is back to normal and we can connect with friends in person again — but I think it’s a must-read for all.

There are more and more books being published on the concept of setting down your phone, backing away from technology, and seeking to recapture life in the real 'non-digital' world. This book is that - so what makes it unique? Why buy this one over others? I think this one while providing facts and data, really is also a beautifully laid out book with quotes, facts, and personal easy to read real-life stories and experiences that sets it apart from other drier attempts to say the same thing.

Ironically, I read this book ON my smartphone so there is that small irony - but this book walks through some practical options for setting down the phone that I haven't seen before. Pulling from other experts in the field to help equip this journey of setting down the phone and setting up good practices - Greenberg moves away from the simple - it's not great for you - to practical advice that is seemingly attainable.

Short, to the point book about the value of reducing your phone usage and benefitting from what's to offer with all that extra free time. The book is definitely aimed at those who spend a large chunk of their free time on screens and therefore have a shorter attention span. The author quite often draws from Eastern practices/thought. I LOVED the illustrations. As always, if you want to read anything about the impact of tech usage on our lives, I recommend Sherry Turkle's Reclaiming Conversation which is quoted in this book.

This is such a cute, quick read. Greenberg offers practical tips, advice, and data on how to disconnect from our phones and re-connect to our real lives. Would make a great gift, coffee table book, or easy read for those looking to get off of their devices.