Checking Out

By: Nick Spalding

Narrated by: Simon Mattacks

What do you do when the doctor says you could die at any moment? Well...after you’ve made a cup of tea, of course.

Nathan James is young, successful and has the world at his feet. Unfortunately, he’s also about to die - which ruins things somewhat. And now he’s staring imminent death in the face, Nathan is having to rethink some of his life choices very hard.

This means embarking on a hectic journey of self-discovery that includes, amongst other things, losing his dignity to an inescapable bean bag, suffering screaming nightmares about a monstrous potato, and getting up close and very personal with a bipolar donkey.

All of which is fine, but then Nathan falls in love with a charming girl called Alison, which is a really stupid thing to do. Because how can you give your heart to someone when it might be about to stop?

From Nick Spalding, the bestselling author of Fat Chance, Bricking It and Mad Love, comes a comedy about dying - which is easy - and living, which is most certainly not.

©2018 Nick Spalding (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

I love Nick Spalding!

I've listened to a few Nick Spalding books and I am absolutely crushing on him. He is such a great writer!!! Spalding creates wonderful characters and puts them in situations where the absolute human comes out and he does so with comedic genius.

Nathan James is dying. That's not really a subject to take lightly but in the hands of Spalding, that is exactly what happened. And it was perfection!!! I even liked the ending.

As well-written as the book is, the narrator put it over the top! He was just too good.

Entertaining

Another funny Nick Spalding book. Characters are funny and endearing. Happy ending where we see the protagonist have the lessons that are important to change him into a happier person.

Very FUNNY

I enjoyed the humor of the story. If you find yourself worrying about death, listen to this story and feel better.

Funny, entertaing easy read

What made the experience of listening to Checking Out the most enjoyable?

It was a serious subject about a young man who is diagnosed with a brain tumor but the book managed to make me laugh and not feel sad all the way through the book

What was one of the most memorable moments of Checking Out?

The chapter when his new girlfriend comes over and he drank an herbal concoction that did not agree with him.

Have you listened to any of Simon Mattacks’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not but I loved the accents and felt he did a great job

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes it made me laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

I love books that make me laugh and forget my stressful job. A writer who can turn a story about a brain tumor into a book that made me laugh so hard is magic. He reminded me that my life isn't so bad and look for the humor. Laughter is the best medicine

Unexpected! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I wasn’t expecting the body of this story to be as entertaining with laugh out loud moments. The premise is certainly dark, but the conclusion provide prospective and great insight. For such a short book it was well written and the performance was outstanding! Give it a go!

loved it

typical hilarity from Nick Spalding. No one can take a mortifying experience and humanize like Nick!!

Wonderful Fun as Always from Spalding!

I was so happy to discover a new book from Spalding, who is hilarious and entertaining beyond belief. This one did not disappoint. I loved it! Spalding is my favorite Audible author because who doesn't love cheeky, laugh-out-loud humor! This is British humor that's definitely universal so don't be hesitant.

great great great story and EXCELLENT NARRATION!

great great great story and EXCELLENT NARRATION! what a great find this book and nick Spalding's storytelling .. like a super funny sitcom... BRILLIANT!

Unexpected

Honestly, I really thought I know how this one would end. It surprised me, though! And I’m glad of it! Nathan James takes quite a kidney. Some of it tears at your heart and some makes you laugh out loud. It all went by too quickly for me. I would have liked to connect with Ally a little more, but it was still a great story.

I literally was LAUGHING OUT LOUD‼️

I knew right away I was going to love “Checking Out” because I’ve read & listened to ALL of Nick Spalding books. Sure I’m British too, so it helps with the ‘British Humor’ too. Yes it’s sad because it’s about our heroic character that has been diagnosed with a tumor in his brain, but he doesn’t just want to sit around and feel like he’s disappearing before his own eyes. He wants to do things, adventures, 😂😂😂 sex on bean bags😂😂😂, and the best line that I actually quoted in twitter was “I’m being molested by an Orange creature with a personality disorder. Now I know what it feels like to be a woman locked in a room with Donald Trump.”! OMG😂😂😂😂👏👏👏👏

I was listening in bed with my ear plugs and my husband thought I was laughing in my sleep! I actually had to stifle laughing in so many chapters!! It’s just that kind of book!

Of course there are sad parts, but Nick just makes dying that will happen to all of us one day, another day of exciting happenings. I loved it!!

Please read/listen...you will never laugh so hard! And if you don’t laugh at a grief counselors ‘name’ you have no sense of humor🤣🤣 Recommended for all‼️‼️ 5+++++++stars 💋💋💋💋