Logging Off

Written by Nick Spalding

Narrated by Rory Barnett

From bestselling author Nick Spalding comes a hilarious, uplifting story about one man’s attempt to live a tech free life.

Andy Bellows is in a right state. Plagued with insomnia, anxiety and neckache, he’s convinced there’s something seriously wrong with him. And the worst thing is that his doctor agrees. The diagnosis: Andy is in the grip of a self-destructive addiction to technology—he just cannot put that bloody mobile phone down.

Texting, tweeting, gaming and online dating—technology rules Andy’s life. His phone even monitors his bowel movements. So how will he cope when he’s forced to follow doctor’s orders and step away from all of his beloved screens?

When he loses his precious digital window on the world, Andy discovers just how bewildering and scary living an analogue life can be. And when his sixty-day detox hits the headlines—making him a hero to suffering technophiles everywhere—Andy is sorely tempted to pack it all in and escape in the nearest Uber.

Can he get himself out of this mess, and work out how to live a better, technologically balanced life…without consulting Google even once?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Apr 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781799760054

Nick Spalding

Nick Spalding is an author who, try as he might, can’t seem to write anything serious. Before becoming a full-time author, he worked in the communications industry, mainly in media and marketing. As talking rubbish for a living can get tiresome (for anyone other than a politician), he thought he’d have a crack at writing comedy fiction—with a very agreeable level of success so far, it has to be said. Nick has now sold about two million books—including a million books sales with Amazon Publishing alone. This flabbergasts him every single day. Nick lives in the south of England with his lovely (and extremely patient) wife. He’s now in his mid-forties—and is rather annoyed at the universe about it, because it gave him no choice in the matter. He’s also addicted to Thai food, still thinks Batman is just about the coolest thing on earth, and has a dreadful singing voice. Nick’s Twitter: @NickSpalding Nick’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/NickSpalding

Reviews for Logging Off

[omer miloh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Things I have learned:

1. You should think for yourself.
It’s kinda ridiculous to let other people from YouTube or any other forum where you don’t know their actual knowledge to do the thinking for you.

2. Balance.
Technology is here and here to stay.
It will require balance to navigate it.

3. Having a Guru is might be not the way to go.
Keep the thinking for yourself.
Advice others, don’t put them on a pedestal.

The idea of obsessively checking the internet for everything, turned us to people who can’t think for themselves.
Trust yourself. Trust you instincts

4. You know what’s right for you.
YouTubers don’t have the answers. You need to find them yourself.
You shouldn’t base your action only on other people opinions.
You should think yourself

[jan dry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel a bit a fraud having listened to the audiobook, but this was delightful. I laughed out loud frequently, relating to so many of Andy’s difficulties. This does not pretend to be great literature, but entertained me greatly!

[jnmegan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nick Spalding’s wry humor sweetens a strong lesson in Logging Off, his most recent novel and thinly disguised cautionary tale. The book is the farcical account of first-person narrator, Andy, a graphic designer whose addiction to technology and social media has resulted in some serious physical and psychological side effects. When an important client meeting becomes disastrous due disturbing symptoms, Andy decides that he will embark on a 60-day “digital detox” to reset his health. His best friend is a reporter who composes a feature about Andy’s experiment—the publicity acting as a reinforcement to his endeavor. Andy soon discovers how completely obsessed with online activities he has become. The removal of these sources of security illuminate the life skills that have been underdeveloped and highlight his utter dependence on instant information and entertainment. The wacky “fish-out-of-water” misadventures and slapstick episodes that follow are entertaining, if a bit far-fetched. Along the way, a romance blooms and the protagonist finds himself the unwitting object of wide-spread admiration and attention. Despite being ambivalent about pursuing his “detox,” Andy feels compelled to continue by the pressure of his new “followers” and the irrepressible current of a movement he never intended to spark. As he struggles with feelings of hypocrisy and confusion, he also recognizes the benefits that the endeavor has brought. Logging Off is a bit too long and the humor at times is contrived and lowbrow, but the book remains a fun read despite its strong moralistic stance. Spalding’s attempt to preach moderation and life-balance is perhaps obvious and over-stated, but his amusing approach makes it a lesson that is easy to swallow.Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing (Amazon) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.