About
Deals
Articles
Genres
Many of us (including yours truly) complain about not being productive or about there not being enough hours in a day to accomplish everything we’d like to do.
Yet, a cursory glance at our screen time might put us to shame. We check our phones when we wake up and before going to sleep, and scroll throughout the day—whenever we get a free moment.
Much of our screentime is concentrated on the social media apps—Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Bluesky, etc.
Under the pretext of fostering connection and empathy, these apps sap our attention spans, track our digital movements, and sell our private data to companies that tempt us with personalized ads while keeping us distracted with bad news or cute animal vids.
Many of us (though we may not like to admit it) are quite addicted to social media platforms—feeling the constant need to stay “connected” by stalking our ex’s vacation photos or documenting every breakfast for the “likes”.
So, if staying away from the internet or getting zero comments on a post affects your mood and self-esteem, and you feel that the digital world is interfering with your real life, these non-fiction books can help you beat the addiction and recalibrate your relationship with social media.
Not only will you learn how social media apps are deliberately designed like casino machines, you’ll also pick up plenty of practical tips to cut down on their usage.
How to Break Up with Your Phone
If your New Year's Resolution is to spend less time on your phone and more time doing the things you care about, check out Catherine Price’s thin book that lays out a detailed and easy-to-follow 30-day plan to gradually curb your phone usage until it’s at a manageable level.
From adjusting your smartphone’s settings to changing your mindset, this book will help you set firm boundaries and take charge of your life.
Unplug
Sometimes it’s hard to stick to a new habit (like spending less time scrolling on Instagram) when no one else is doing it.
This is where Richard Simon’s Unplug comes in, presenting 25 inspiring stories of people from diverse backgrounds overcoming their digital addictions and living more emotionally fulfilling lives, along with the author’s own journey of keeping his phone turned off for a whole year.
Packed with practical advice on how to turn your phone off and resist the urge to turn it back on again, Unplug is a hugely informative and helpful read.
Digital Minimalism
So many of us prioritize minimalism in our daily lives—buying fewer things not only saves money, but also helps us value what we have more.
However, in the digital world, we tend to be the opposite—constantly checking our phones for updates and notifications and oversharing online.
Cal Newport’s book Digital Minimalism offers a comprehensive roadmap out of this quandary, teaching you how to live a more focused life offline. If you need a digital declutter, begin your journey with this book.
Digital Detox
Today’s kids are far exposed to technology than previous generations—they learn to scroll and click long before they learn other skills. As a result, it’s no surprise to find kids and teens these days dangerously addicted to social media and unable to focus IRL.
So, if your kid is having trouble adjusting to the offline world and you’re running out of ideas on how to help (except by throwing the phone out of the window), DeFrank’s Digital Detox will get you out of this pickle in two weeks flat.
With this book, you’ll help your kids set sustainable tech boundaries and steer their focus back to the real world
The 40-Day Social Media Fast
Just as addicts sometimes fight their addictions by quitting cold turkey, so too can deliberately spending time off social media help you reconnect with what truly matters.
Wendy Speake lays out a plan for a “40 Day Social Media Sabbatical” where you can take a break from your phone, spend time with loved ones, and reconnect with God.
If you’re religiously or spiritually inclined and you’re feeling rather disconnected by staring at reels all day, this is the book that might just change your life for the better.
Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now
Finally, if your goal isn’t just a short-term digital detox but long-term wellness and productivity, check out Jaron Lanier’s timely and utterly compelling book.
It lucidly highlights the dangers of social media and other digital platforms, and makes a powerful case for quitting them to build a more inclusive and safer world for all.
Featured image: Boskecil / Canva
