Logging Off

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed Andy Bellows as a character and his journey of detoxing from social media, smartphones, and the internet in general. He is funny, bumbling, and lovable.
Andy Bellows, graphic designer, goes to see his doctor with symptoms of IBS, a painfully locked jaw, and a sore neck. His doctor suggests a radical detox from the digital world, and 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. In some ways, it is the best thing he has ever done. In other ways, it feels like he cut off one of his own limbs. As Andy gains a real-life following of people interested in his detox, he feels as though his life is spiraling out of control--and he's more concerned about the crowds of people following him in the real world than he ever was about his follower count on Instagram or Twitter. Andy must decide whether to keep up the detox, or return to the digital world--albeit more balanced in his use of digital media than before.
Overall, this book was a very fun read, but I almost felt like it tried to be a little too deep and philosophical toward the end. That's my only complaint though. I was either smiling or laughing through the rest of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for a free galley copy in exchange for an honest review. Logging Off will be released April 23rd, 2020!

Where to begin with this one?! I was hooked from the very first page with the humour coming out. This author certainly knows how to capture you! In this book we meet Andy, who is advised that he needs a break from social media. His journey throughout this is both poignant and hilarious, and had certainly made me think about the amount of time that I spend online!

I really recommend anyone to read this - it is funny but it also feels very real.

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.

Got this via NetGalley. I’ve read a few of Nick Spalding’s books before and they’re all a bit random. I enjoyed the links with Bath and The Mendips in this book and liked the overall idea of how spending less time on the internet can be old for you. However I just couldn’t get invested in the main character that well due to some of Nick Spalding’s typical silliness. Not bad, but it didn’t keep me hooked and took a while to read.

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.

I was intrigued by this book based on the description but I couldn't make it past the first 30 pages. I don't know if it's just a slow start, if it's the British-isms, or that it's pretty dry. I don't think I'll be continuing reading it.

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.

What's with the incessant poop jokes? Why? I just couldn't stand them.
That said, I appreciated the overall message this book was trying to give. I did find some aspects funny. It might be good for you if you've read Nick Spalding before, but it just seemed pretty meh to me.

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.

DNF / DNR

Not my cup of tea, although I really wanted to enjoy in it.

Maybe I expected too much of it.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

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.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This book is laugh out loud funny.
It may not be to some people's taste because it does have curse words and Andy talks about his bowel movements ALOT! But if you are not one of those people that gets offended easily then this book is for you.
It has alot if crazy escapades like driving his car into a duck pond because he was lost and getting humped by a pug!
Crazy funny!!

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.

This book is about a guy named Andy Bellows. He lived his life dependent on technology. He suffers from IBS and is a graphic designer. One day, he had a possible job offer with a company and went in, and suffered from the IBS as well as lock jaw, not to mention he cant sleep at night. He decides to see a doctor about what all this means, and the doctor tells him to much technology. He then talks to a friend who works for a paper and decides to do a "detox" from technology. This book details his experiences, going off the digital grid, and in the midst, finding love.
I think this is a feel good book, for sure. Very humorous. A must read if you need to something to laugh at. Thank you #NetGalley & #Amazonpublishing for this ARC copy. Really enjoyed it!

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!

From the first page this book captured my attention. I had a lot of laugh out loud moments! The author has a tongue-in-cheek way of describing things,,which I find quite amusing. I felt it a bit ironic that I read the book on my iPad as it’s about logging off. It did resonate with me about “screen time” and the need to assess the amount of time I spend staring at devices.

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 tried to finish this book, but I couldn't. I think someone that enjoys comedy movies would like this book, but that isn't me. I don't enjoy the sense of humor, or any of the dialogue, and I felt all the events kept escalating into ridiculousness that overshadowed whatever insight Andy was trying to give about his life. This book wasn't interesting to me, even though the premise had been. I feel like it would be unfair to leave a review elsewhere since I didn't finish this book.

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.

Talk about timing. To read a book that is about someone on a 60 detox from technology...... when we are in a “Stay Safe” “Stay Home” Order. After suffering from many elements, Andy is told he needs to cut out all the technology in his life.
Funny with satire that this British Author is know for, we enjoy how Andy finds the balance he needs to enjoy life.

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?

I had heard of Nick Spalding, but this was my first time reading his work. I love reading British authors mostly because of the spelling and idioms they use. About a quarter of the way through this book I decided I wanted to read more of Spalding's books. I was very surprised to find my library doesn't have a single copy of any of his books. This will be something I encourage them to rectify once they are accepting purchase suggestions again.

Logging Off is a fun story in which a lot of people can relate. Most people are aware of their tech addiction, but they don't bother to delve too deeply into the problem. Andy Bellows' tech detox results in ridiculous, yet humorous, situations. The overall plot is a little predictable, but it's the anecdotes on Andy's journey that make this book great. It's a perfect light read.

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.

A story with a good moral to it - something I haven’t come across in a long while! Readers follow Andy on his journey through a digital detox. While there were plenty of times his analog mishaps had me LOL-ing, there were many instances where his internal monologue made me roll my figurative eyes and holler, “Get on with it, Edith!” Overall a good read with a good life lesson for this day and age - we all can think of at least one person addicted to their digital footprint, if it’s not ourself!

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.

Nick Spalding did it again! I've been highly enjoying all of his nowels and if you haven't met the author before- start with Love from Both sides. I am very honoured to receive this copy of #LoggingOff from #netgalley in return to my honest review.
Logging Off is a story about a guy who one day decided to quit all of his social media and the internet itself for 2 months. It is funny already because it is hard to imagine our lives without it. When the internet is there for us to get information, communicate and help us with our choices, we willingly use it and depend on it. Andy Bellows, the main character, reached his limit and quit it called turkey.
The magic of Nick Spalding is in describing all the bad stuff that could ever happen in a hilarious way. Get ready to laugh till you cry. If you want to know why Satan might be an owner of a tractor, you gotta read Logging Off.

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!

Firstly, thank you to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of one of my insta-buy authors, Logging Off by Nick Spalding.

When Andy Bellows develops some incredibly alarming symptoms, and takes a visit to his GP to get them checked out, he is given an alarming diagnosis - he needs to go on a digital detox. An interesting lifestyle evolves over the next 60 days and amid much turmoil and google-less suffering, Andy finally manages to find a balance, and a few other things along the way.

Now, more than ever, digital life is becoming increasingly important, especially since. as I write this, we're nearly 2 weeks into Covid-19 lockdown in the UK and interacting with humans outside of my household is solely in a digital manner. Either I'm seeing them on video chat, exercising with them over Zoom, calling my grandparents on my smartphone, keeping in touch via WhatsApp, it's all digital, and Nick really highlights just how much, without us realising, technology has become such a central part of our lives, even in the small ways, such as ordering food, or relying on google maps instead of a physical map, or how there is an app for EVERYTHING!

This book has a pretty great message about the online world we do live in, but it doesn't feel like a life lecture on how we're all becoming slaves to the technology that is taking over the world, screen by screen, mainly because Logging Off comes with a side of great humour and a more than it's fair share of giggletastic moments. With the woman who has to be rescued from a cafe toilet window whilst escaping from the police, aka 'the organisation/The Illuminati/The Great Ones/the deep state/the low men in the yellow coats' and a scenario where Andy has to watch 'a pug dressed as a blue wizard shag my footstool', in the digital-less world of Andy Bellows and his fellow Loggers Off there is no shortage of entertainment.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and it definitely affirmed why Nick Spalding is such a good comedic author, but doesn't compromise on the quality of a book to get a few jokes in, the humour isn't awkward or forced, and you come out the other side of the book feeling better about yourself. Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves a giggle, a book that can be read in any weather and the run of the mill bloke with a few quirks.

'Because logging off isn't something you should only do once. It's something you should do *every single day*'

PS I've also just realised that Nick managed to sneak a reference to his book Fat Chance in there... which I would also recommend!!!

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.

I’m going with a 4-star rating, if I’m being honest it’s more of a 3.5 star book, but no half stars on goodreads, so...I’m going with the higher rating because this book made me laugh out loud (literally) quite a few times.

This is a British comedy book about Andy Bellows who realizes that he spends entirely too much time online. He opts for a complete digital detox, wherein he puts his phone and iPad into a box, disables his smart TV, and uses his PC strictly for work purposes. What follows is a hilarious tale of Andy’s life after detox; the situations he finds himself in, the friends who come into his life, and the lessons that he learns.

At its heart, this is a story about human beings and our need to find balance in our lives. This is a character driven story that deals with an issue that is extremely relevant to everyone’s lives today. If you’ve ever felt that you use technology too much or if you’ve ever been tired of technology in general, this is a book you should consider reading.

‘Living a happy life is about knowing how much of yourself you want to let people in on.’ I feel this is good advice to us all, but it’s also something that we need to remember in reference to other people. We don’t see everything on social media, people choose what they want to present. So, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to a standard set by someone we don’t know in real-life. Find YOUR balance. Live YOUR best life, not someone else’s.

****Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

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.

I loved the title of this book. Something I am sure we would all like to do. The first couple chapters made me want to put it down but I persevered and after several days finished it. Of course this is a story about shutting down all your social media accounts. Could you do it—is it actually the reason you are so ill? Andy has several serious health problems so when he loses another job and the Dt tells him it is because of his addiction to his devices he decided he will try to wean himself off them. His friend writes for a paper and convinces hi to do it an let hiM write about it. Of course he becomes famous and people recognize him, which he hates, Many escapades later—some very funny, many very crazy happenings and a delightful ending. If you can get past the first couple chapters it turns into a good if somewhat crazy book.

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.

I realize I'm in the minority on this one. Comedy is always a touch and go for me. A few pages at the beginning was very funny and helped take some of tension off of these trying times we are going through but even before chapter 2 began, it ended for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

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.