Analog Sun

by Alex Woodard

Amazon Best Seller and Hot New Release

A small book with a big message for anyone searching for life beyond the algorithm

A lost traveler stumbles onto a hidden path, untouched by code or concrete, in this modern fable about navigating between the world we’ve built and the one that built us.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Alex Woodard has toured nationally behind several critically acclaimed albums, earning a few prestigious industry nods while sharing the stage with some of his heroes. His first novel, published in late 2023, was an IPPY Gold medal winner and found an early supporter in Woody Harrelson, who said, “Ordinary Soil brings to haunting life the desperate realities of the American heartland, but also offers a glimpse into a better future . . . a call to action for all of us.”

His nonfiction For The Sender book, album, and concert series has garnered praise from Huffington Post (“important, enlightening, and ultimately inspiring”), Deepak Chopra (“a beautiful tribute to the resilience of the human spirit”), Dr. Wayne Dyer (“an inspiring, thought-provoking, and life-changing work”), and Billboard magazine (“one of the year’s most touching, unique releases”), among others.

Alex's second work of fiction, Analog Sun, is set for release in Fall 2025, and has already earned accolades from thought leaders including triple-board certified Zach Bush, MD. A leading educator on human and planetary health, Dr. Bush found the book to be "stunning, with a twist I didn't see coming. Analog Sun is the perfect antidote to our digital overwhelm...and a beautiful invitation to a more meaningful, joyful life."


Alex lives with three horses, two dogs, two chickens, and two beautiful humans on a small ranch near the California coast, where he logs as much water time as possible. While he's stepped away from social media, his stories and music can be found at alexwoodard.com.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all I’d like to thank NetGalley and the author for this audiobook, I appreciated the opportunity to experience and review this.

Now… let me start with the positives, the audiobook production was great! The narrator wasn’t monotone nor over the top and the production itself did a very good job at immersing you into the story.

Sadly that is where my positives came to a swift end. The story felt preachy and rushed, it felt as though the author tried to make things way deeper than they really were. And I get that this is a short story but I really didn’t connect to any of the characters and I’ll probably forget about them as soon as this review is written.

Overall this was extremely underwhelming and despite how short it was I was wishing for it to end.

[Kuu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audiobook!

The narrator did a great job, with a pleasant voice, good articulation and just enough emotion to not feel monotone, but also not exaggerated.

Sadly, the story itself just didn't do it for me. I really don't see why this story is called a fable, and I'd say about 80% of this book just felt pretty... random to me. At the end, you're starting to see what's up, but then the ending still isn't very clear (to me personally), and feels somewhat abrupt and lacking. The writing is alright, but nothing special, and I just didn't enjoy this work very much.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story that basically tells about life BEFORE the digital age…by various people who happen along and HELP a stranger who appears to be lost.

For a good part of the book it just wasn’t resonating with me, but towards the end it ‘kind of’ picked up and started to make more sense… and then like a puzzle, all the pieces just CLICKED!

If you’re looking for a short read with a lot of hidden meanings (and agendas…) this might be the one for you!!

#AnalogSun by @AlexWoodard and narrated beautifully by @ScottBrick.

This one has already been released, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!

3 1/2 stars for me, rounded up to 4! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and the author, @AlexWoodard for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, a book for people whose screen time reports make them question their life choices! Alex Woodard's "ANALOG SUN" is like digital detox in literary form—a short, sweet modern fable about a lost traveler who discovers the revolutionary concept of... going outside.

Our protagonist stumbles onto a hidden path that's somehow managed to escape both WiFi coverage and concrete, which in 2025 basically makes it Narnia. What follows is a dreamy, occasionally chaotic journey that feels like what would happen if Thoreau had written "Walden" while his phone was dead and he couldn't Google "how to build a cabin."

Woodard serves up profound insights about our tech-addled existence without making you feel like you're being lectured by your most sanctimonious friend who "doesn't even own a TV." The writing has that floaty, atmospheric quality that makes perfect sense when you realize it was penned by someone living on a California ranch—because of course it was.

The book tackles the age-old question: "What if we all just... stopped checking our phones for five minutes?" Spoiler alert: apparently good things happen. Who knew?

At its core, "ANALOG SUN" is a gentle reminder that sometimes the best connection is disconnection, and the most important notifications come from birds, not apps. It's brief enough to read in one sitting (assuming you can resist the urge to check Instagram between chapters), making it perfect for anyone whose attention span has been thoroughly demolished by TikTok.

Bottom line: A charming little wake-up call disguised as a nature walk. Your WiFi router won't like it, but your soul probably will.

Recommended for: Reformed social media addicts, anyone who's ever said "I should really get outside more," and people who miss the days when "going viral" meant catching the flu.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to author Alex Woodard for providing me with a Kindle copy of this allegory about the lack of interpersonal connection in major urban areas, the overreliance on technology that prevents a true connection with other people, the beauty of nature and joys of life that can be experienced without the need for artificial stimuli, and the enrichment that pets can provide to an individual’s life.

The main character, Adam, a meth addict originally from Stillwater, Oklahoma and recent transplant to California, was found blooded and bruised in an alley by a stranger after an unknown assailant attacked Adam. The stranger took Adam to the hospital to get treatment for internal injuries suffered during the attack. At the hospital, a kindly nurse known as Mama Bear noticed that Adam had a serious drug addiction and recommended that he check into a drug rehabilitation center immediately after being released from the hospital.

While in the waiting room at the drug rehabilitation center, Adam spotted an intriguing photograph of a colt leading a group of horses on a ranch located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This photograph connected with Adam and rekindled thoughts of freedom, farm life that he had experienced in Stillwater as a child, and his love of animals. Adam decided that he should try to visit Santa Fe to see if the colt pictured in the photograph was still alive, which might help Adam regain a sense of himself after his struggles with drug addiction. Along the way from the drug rehabilitation center in California to Santa Fe, Adam met a group of mysterious but helpful strangers who assisted him on his journey to Santa Fe. Those strangers included Max (a former musician who previously struggled with heroin and who picked up Adam and drove him toward San Diego), Greg (a former lead software developer for Instagram who now focused on his love of the ocean and surfing and provided Max and Adam a place to stay outside of San Diego), Manny (a Native American who gave Adam a ride to a Native American reservation around the Grand Canyon), a park ranger (who guided Adam through the base of the Grand Canyon and got him closer to Santa Fe), and Sara (a horse enthusiast who worked on a ranch in Santa Fe). Each of these people who Adam met on his journey taught him life lessons through either sharing his or her personal story or sharing universally recognized stories passed down over the generations. What life lessons did each person provide to Adam during his journey? Does Adam meet the colt from the photograph? If so, does the meeting change Adam’s outlook on life?

The author posits that each person has a choice between two separate ways of living. The first option is to live digitally where people are reliant on computer algorithms that can manipulate many aspects of life, including the creation of a false sense of belonging. The other option is to live analog with less reliance on smart phones where a person seeks connections with others through writing letters, interacting with people in person rather than via social media, and spending more time in nature rather than on computer screens. The themes addressed in this novella will become increasingly more important as artificial intelligence gains a larger role in society. This is a short but thought provoking novella that is well worth spending the couple of hours needed to read it.

[AthenaReads1989 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not one I would normally pick up on my own, so it was refreshing to read something outside of my normal go-to genres and tropes. The prose was almost poetic, very descriptive and allegorical, which I really enjoyed. At times it felt like a fever dream and felt a little disjointed. It reminded me of the Christmas carol, as if the people the MMC is meeting were like the ghost of Christmas past/present/future, intended to give the MMC a lesson and help him make the “right decision”. It wasn’t quite clear until the end where it was going. I enjoyed the MMC's adventure that he endured all without technology or attachment to what many of us are addicted to every day- screen time.

The narrator was fantastic. Scott didn’t just read the book to me, he acted it out and gave such a clear picture in my mind-movie that I felt like I was watching a show. He had emotion and inflections at just the right time.

The story was an interesting ride and earned a 3.5 star from me and the narration earned a 5 star.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[CarolinaBookBliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Analog Sun by Alex Woodward was a mixed but generally pleasant audiobook experience. The narrator was a definite highlight, delivering an animated and expressive performance that captured the emotions of the story well and helped maintain engagement throughout.

The story is quite short and easy to follow once it finds its footing. I felt a little confused and detached at the beginning, and it took some time to settle into the story and connect with it. That said, the narrative does wrap up by the end, which helped bring clarity and a sense of completion.

I appreciated the reflective insights around humanity’s use of technology, which added thoughtful moments to the story. Overall, while this book didn’t fully resonate with me, it was an easy listen and may appeal to readers who enjoy quieter, reflective literary fiction.
Thanking Netgally and Alex Woodward for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

[Karla Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook copy I read of this book.

This review contains many spoilers, proceed with caution.

I think that Analog Sun is a modern parable about the consequences of the choices we make in life. Analog Sun feels like a re-telling of the Greek Mythology story of Charon.

Max is Charon, leading souls like Adam across to the after life. I think Adam died or was dying in the alley at the beginning of the book and this story is Adam making peace with his life choices and deciding whether or not to cross over into the next world.

Greg and Sara are all the “judges” that Max (Charon) leads Adam to. They all help Adam reflect on his choices and how they impacted him and show him what’s possible with different choices. The ending is Greg, Sara and Max sharing how they passed and became what they are and how their choices affected their lives. I also believe the ending is Adam choosing to pass, or change his life and come out of the stupor in the alley and live a different life.

Viewing Analog Sun as a modern Charon story makes me like it. I wonder if reviewers that didn’t understand this book missed the mythology connection? Maybe I’m reading too much into this one, either way, I enjoyed this book.

The audiobook was fabulous- the narrator was very good. The author did a very good job creating the characters and making the reader empathize with and mostly like them. In many parts of the book I felt like I was in the room with the characters.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Greenleaf Book Group for choosing me.

I wasn't expecting much from this tiny book, and yet I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely gave me a lot to think about. Made me remember that it's never a bad idea to disconnect and stop and smell the roses. I'll be thinking of this story for a long time to come and I'll be sure to disconnect and live in the moment more often than not.

Thanks for the reminder, I guess a lot of us needed it. Especially now, when most everyone is glued to their phones as they go about their days. A beautiful message embedded in a tiny, yet powerful book.

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Alex Woodard, publisher, for allowing me to audibly read and review Analog Sun on NetGalley.

Narrated by Scott Brick (Excellent)

Published: 11/18/25

Stars: 2.5

Scott Brick was a fantastic choice as narrator.

As far as the book goes, I was lost and confused as well as intrigued by the writing. Of note, throughout the book interludes of music play adding to my scrunched brows.

Recommend for the narrator. Perhaps the story will make sense to you.

#NetGalleyNovember

[Dana Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in audible format. While the narration was excellent and the book itself was well written with a meaningful premise, the storyline just didn’t grab my attention.

It follows a man named Adam, who has struggled with addiction. After hitting bottom, he finds himself on a rehabilitation journey during which he travels across California and connects with others who help him find solace in the beauty of nature—realizing that by releasing himself from societal pressures, he may have the ability to recover a meaningful life.

While this book wasn’t for me, it was a short story with thoughtful messaging and may resonate with others.

[zinikornis · Rating 3 out of 5]

FIRST OF ALL, I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for the opportunity of reading this book.
SECONDLY, please note that this is my subjective opinion. I believe each and every author has a right to and deserves fair, honest feedback from their readers, which I am aiming to provide. I adore every author's creativity, bravery and commitment to writing, finishing and publishing a work of art.

———

I started this book with confusion - but I thought okay, I’m confused when starting a new book often enough, that’s normal.

However, I kept on being confused thorough, mainly as to what is even going on here, and though I wasn’t as confused by the end, it didn’t impress me either.

I think it was a good book to read, and an interesting idea to write a short book about, but it didn’t blow my mind, as I suspect it was intended to do.

———

UPDATE: some time later, I'm still reminded of this book every now and again. I've come to the conclusion that even though this book was not for me, I completely understand why someone might like it, and even why someone might think it was an amazing book. For a more lyrically inclined reader, or someone who appreciates philosophical, contemplative, reflective texts, this could be a great read.

[Janni Sappinen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️

Thanks netgalley for this book!

I liked the narrator and the fact that the audiobook had music in it.Short book (100 pages) but it kinda felt longer. I like short books that feel long but i know many people hate those books. I don’t know if i would read more books from this author but if he has more free audiobooks on e-books etc. I would read those.

[Samantha Seay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story unfolds like a vivid, slightly surreal fever dream, atmospheric in a way I genuinely enjoyed. It carries a strong sense of nostalgia for a pre-digital world that really resonated with me.
The audiobook narration was a standout. One of my favorites, the narrator brought depth and cohesion to the story, elevating the overall experience even further.

[jess ♡☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think i was expecting more i really don’t even know it’s 2:30am and i’m delusional😶‍🌫️

[LG · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book confused me utterly. Since it was short, and had high ratings, I figured it was on me, so I read it again. And here I am, still confused. I can't say much more without spoilers. But I walked away from it (twice) feeling much like I do after stream-of-consciousness novels, which is to say, feeling like I've wasted time I'll never get back.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taking a detour from his brother's itinerary after their father's death, Adam finds himself crashing from his high, mugged, and discarded. No one could be more shocked than him when he finds himself not eternally in shadow but waking up to a 'Mama Bear' nurse who sends him to a friend's rehab on discharge. There he is faced with the painting of a wild herd of mustangs led by a youthful and spirited member. The energy spurs his own will to thrive. Consumed, he sets out on a spur of the moment to chase a feeling he can't quite name.

Along the way he meets series of helpers that take him on their own journeys as well as his own. Each have made their own escapes. All had a common chain holding them down. Can Adam break from his own?

Marketed as a modern fable, I'd argue this tale is more akin to the stories passed down generations in oral cultures. As one character implies, those fantastical tellings are not mythical but mediums of truth. Like in many of those types of stories, community and nature is at the heart of "Analog Sun".

I picked up this title because I adore the narrator and I appreciate a good short story. The author's name didn't click with me, so I was unaware that I had read his "Ordinary Soil" earlier in the year. I am always open to giving authors I didn't quite connect with another try. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite hit for me either.

Woodard crafts some absolutely beautiful phrases. He can really embody an atmosphere. The length and paced was the right size to tell the story he had in mind. Yet I was left with a sense of fragmentation. The book felt like snippets meant to make a statement rather than a gradual lesson or revelation.

I completely endorse the benefits of stepping away from technology, the very blunt message. But I don't find Adam's personal demons quite of the same variety as the characters who take him under their wing. I just don't see how it would solve his specific problems. Help his healing journey, yes.

You can argue that the urban areas have an abundance of opportunities for illicit drug use. As someone in a rural area that has a massive drug problem- being out on a farm isn't the exact solution. Nor is it always the always the safest place if one of his problems was potentially, as is almost randomly dropped in, about his attractions.

I always support artists combining their modes of creation. With no negativity towards the author's music, the integration of his song into this was awkward. The initial insert was fine, dealing with the story line of a musician. It was far more measured than in "Ordinary Soil" where half an album was played. It was the later scenes that I had the same issue as with the previous book. They felt written specifically to include the listening rather than letting the song accent the lesson.

"Analog Sun" has a noble message and is inclusive of many perspectives and philosophies in a respectful manner. It fulfills its promise of being a parable. There are parts that are gorgeously written. I simply think that this is just not an author that works for me overall.

[G L · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story about a young man lost in drug addiction that is a self-described fable about the dangers of over-reliance on digital screens.

Unfortunately, the book’s structure creates confusion from the outset. The introductory section speaks ominously of some strange affliction, but uses terms so vague that I figured out what it referred to only after finishing the book and listening again to the introduction. Chapter One begins from the point of view of a stray dog in a dirty alley, then suddenly switches viewpoint and setting. Throughout the novella characters arrive and disappear randomly, sometimes hinting of a hidden, potentially supernatural movement behind the scenes. Only in the final paragraph does the framing device resolve sufficiently for the reader to grasp its point. Unfortunately, by then I no longer cared about the characters, though I was grateful to have an answer to my questions about the opening scene.

There is a self-consciousness about the style that felt forced. The opening part of chapter One is written in an excessive “literary” style that I found distracting. Metaphors seem to be chosen more for the element of surprise than for aptness. As the book progresses, the writing takes refuge in cliché, and I caught several imprecise turns of phrase that should have been sharpened. The final chapter explains what the random characters have been up to. The writing there is clunky, the transitions between each speaker are abrupt, and several gaps in narrative are left unexplored.

Aside from the technical flaws of the story, I really questioned the underlying premise. Equating the use of digital devices with addiction is hardly original, and the author’s point here seems to assume a binary choice between completely eschewing all digital activity, and being completely captive to it. Even within the world of the story some elements contradict this binary, but unfortunately these fail to interrogate the apparent underlying assumptions. Furthermore, the story implicitly embraces the “moral failing” theory of drug addiction, which I found deeply problematic.

For me, it was an altogether disappointing read.

The audio performance by Scott Brick probably captured the author’s intent. It was very earnest, stopping just shy of preaching. Such obviousness is not my preference, but this is a matter of personal taste.

1.5 stars

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this audiobook.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Alex Woodard for the audiobook of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed Woodard's language craft and would read other work by him, but Analog Sun didn't quite live up to its potential for me.

On the one hand I enjoyed the writing, and there were certain points where the natural imagery and the descriptions brought me great joy. And once we got past the preamble and into the story, I was enjoying the journey that Adam was on. I felt the Woodard accurately captured the experience of a young man who has experienced relatively little in a narrow life with few prospects.

However, the book lost me when we reached the other characters' stories which were presented in what can only be described as an exposition dump. I understand that Woodard was going for a moral tale on the dangers of addiction (drugs, technology, easy highs, status and ambition), but from the point that the other characters begin their explanations it seemed almost as though another author ,not nearly as capable of crafting a story ,was writing. It feels as though there was a more delicate way to do this. But I'll give Woodard points for the fact that the character who is (re)introduced (iykyk) at the end did make me tear up.

I did think that the "twist" was predictable as others have said, but I would argue that this is more a piece of writing that is aware of it's own nature: it was clear in the language that it's more of a moral story than a novel read for the plot.

I listened to this as an audiobook. I enjoyed the narrator's expressiveness, but thought that some tonal differentiation between characters would have made a huge difference. I also didn't realise for quite some time that Adam wasn't supposed to be a gruff and grizzly, pipe-smoking-whiskey-swigging bear of a man! A narrator doesn't have to embody the characters they narrate but perhaps a mention of Adam's stage of life would have been helpful.

[Book in with Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ARC on audiobook.

I was originally drawn to this book by the book title and the cover. Both of which I think are great.

This is a short story about Adam who is described as a lost traveller. Adam has developed drug dependency issues and after hitting rock bottom, goes on a journey where he meets a series of people who helped him along the way. I was engaged in Adam’s story and interested to see where his journey went. I enjoyed the parts where Adam interacted with nature and animals and where he found people who were just willing to help others.

This is one of those books that you just have to go with from the beginning and see where it takes you. Parts of the story do feel like a fable that might be passed from one person to another over time.

From chapter 5 the story seemed to shift quite a bit. I felt less engaged from this chapter. I did start to feel a little bit lost and confused by which character was which because the narrator didn’t alter his voice in any way to distinguish between different characters.

I appreciate the author was trying to highlight the benefits of the analog way of life. As someone who was brought up in a world before the internet, large scale gaming and social media, I think some of the book's messages were less relevant for me personally. I appreciate what the author was trying to say with this story and I think this could be a more impactful story for different sorts of readers.

I really enjoyed the music/song that was included at points throughout the audio edition. This was a great addition to an audiobook.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as short stories go, this one was pretty good. I’ve read several over the past year, and I finally realized earlier this month that I’m not usually a fan of the format. Too often, short stories end with something feeling unresolved. There’s almost always a lingering question, usually the why, and I’ve learned that I don’t enjoy that very much.

This story was different. I completely understood the why by the end, and that made all the difference for me.

It also took me a while to figure out what was really going on, which I appreciated. I don’t find it very enjoyable when everything clicks immediately and you’re just waiting for the story to catch up. Here, the slow reveal worked in its favor.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and for the most part, I was able to keep the characters straight. I had no trouble understanding it at double speed, which is always my personal test since I prefer listening that way. There was one moment, though, where a female character is introduced, and it was a little disorienting to realize halfway through her section that she wasn’t the male character I had pictured in my head. That’s one of the small pitfalls of audio, and I’m sure it’s perfectly clear in print.

Overall, this was a solid short story with a clear message and just enough of a twist to keep things interesting. I enjoyed it, and I think there’s a good chance you might too.

[Read_with_Beans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing an ALC of Analog Sun
by Alex Woodard, narrated by Scott Brick.

A lost traveler (junkie) wakes up bruised, broken, and confused in a strange alley—no phone, no wallet, and no idea how he’ll find his way home. Analog Sun follows his journey, unfettered by code and concrete, and reminds us of what’s possible when we trade the world we’ve built for the one that built us.

This novella was a weird fever dream of a story about how, if we don’t separate ourselves from our digital life, we won’t be able to recognize ourselves or anything for that matter, before we even realize it’s too late. The traveler goes from the I-5 to Route 66, to surfing in the Pacific, and eventually finding his way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, he meets a cast of characters, with each providing unique life lessons, and he eventually realizes the mistakes he made in life, leaving him wanting more – if he gets a second chance.

This is a uniquely told story with excellent narration. The story itself was so trippy and fever-dreamy that I found it difficult to connect with. Due to the incredibly well-done narration, I would recommend everyone try this novella as an audiobook. Without the audiobook, I would have put this book down without finishing. Despite its short length, it was just too weird for me.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks to netgalley for providing me with the audiobook ARC.

It was a decent little read, but the twist was so obvious from the first bit of dialogue that I wondered if it was trying to trick me and there'd be an actual twist, but no.
I enjoyed the main character and was rooting for him on his journey, and the group of characters he runs into along the way are interesting.
I know the technology/phone was kind of being used as an allegory for the drug addiction he faced, but it felt a little heavy-handed at times.

The narrator's voice was really nice, and I felt like it really fit for some of the side characters, but there were a few times I got really confused because a different character was speaking but his tone didn't change at all - he didn't try to add any sort of characterization to the dialogue. which, to be fair is better to me than when male narrators use really weird squeaky voices for female characters, but even just a change in intonation or tempo or something would be nice.

I also felt like the narrator's voice just didn't fit the vibe of the main character at all. I don't remember if there was a specific age given so maybe he's older than I thought and it does fit, but I assumed the main guy was maybe in his 20s. The narrator's voice was giving 40+ man who goes fishing and smokes a pipe.

[Renae Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a man named Adam—a traveler, a wanderer, a young drifter from Oklahoma searching for direction but somehow losing his way along the journey. A twist of fate brings him into the orbit of Max, a man cut from a very different cloth. Where Adam is restless and searching, Max lives by simpler methods, manners, and modalities—a man Adam comes to call the Analog Man.

Through Max, Adam learns lessons he never set out to find—quiet truths about life, presence, and the understated beauty that exists beneath the Analog Sun. Those lessons don’t just shape Adam; they awaken something in the reader, too.

The beginning may feel a bit elusive, even puzzling, but as the story unfolds, its rhythm deepens and the pace builds. What emerges is an unexpectedly enlightening journey—moral, philosophical, and deeply human. I found myself invested in the evolving bond between Adam and Max, eager to see how their intertwined paths would resolve, and what final wisdom might linger.

I was not dissappointed. By the end I felt like I had been on that journey with Adam. I left with a feeling of awe of how things unfold in life brigning us the people we need when the time is right to guide us to the greater truths of what we need to know in the moments we need them most.

[LulziReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Analog Sun by Alex Woodard is a short, contemplative read that leans much more on reflection than on plot. The story follows Adam, a man who wakes up disconnected from his digital life and begins a journey that’s less about where he’s going and more about what he’s feeling and learning along the way. The plot is simple and serves mainly as a vehicle to explore themes of disconnection, technology, nature, and finding meaning outside the digital world.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and I have to say the narrator did a really good job. The writing itself is lyrical and thoughtful, and that style comes through especially well in audio format. It’s very introspective and philosophical, almost like a modern fable.

That said, this book is very much not plot-driven, which made it a bit harder for me to fully connect with. I kind of liked it, but I personally prefer books with a stronger, more structured plot. Readers who enjoy slow, reflective, and contemplative stories will definitely appreciate this more than I did.

Overall, I’d give it 2.5 stars mainly because this isn’t usually what I read, not because it’s badly written. I can absolutely see how others who enjoy this type of book would really like it.

[Lisa Yiasemides · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This is the first time that I have read anything by Alex Woodard, and I have very mixed feelings, as there was a lot to like, but ultimately I wasn't left feeling as much as I expected to at the end.

Beginning with the good: I really enjoyed the narrator, Scott Brick's, narration, which had a pleasing tone and style.

There were parts of the story that made me worry that the story was going to end up as an 'it was all a dream'. Thankfully it didn't, but I think my feeling of confusion to follow the story in places says something about the prose and its free-flowing nature. It ultimately wasn't for me, as I needed to rewind and relisten several times through what is a only a 3-hour listen.

The message was great and I loved how the wholesome nature of Adam's activities in the book translated directly across to the wholesome feeling I had while listening.

Ultimately, a great story with a powerful message and great narration meant that I overall enjoyed this book, but the unstructured writing style that rambled in places, wasn't quite for me, but I think I may be in the minority.

[CharlieJLZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story about a man with a drug addiction who is found in an alleyway, and his journey from that moment on.
He is helped by some good Samaritans as he travels, reconnecting with things he used to love, reflecting on what really matters in life, and deciding which future path to take.

This book handled discussions of life lessons, food for thought, and a digital wake-up call without being preachy.

The pace and rhythm were great, and it’s probably one of the best short stories I’ve read. It didn’t leave me feeling unsatisfied with the ending, but equally it didn’t feel rushed — a fine balance that Alex handled brilliantly.

A personal positive was the addition of music. I’ve skipped very awkward narrator “hymns and songs” in the past because they’re often audibly painful. This wasn’t 👌🏻

📚 Take Home: I can tell I’ll keep thinking about parts of this book. As someone who is spending less time online, holding myself accountable for my actions, and no longer being available 24/7, it felt like perfect timing to listen to this.

I want to thank #NetGalley and #AlexWoodard for the reading opportunity.

[Stacey Mckernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I struggled to get into this book and there were times I was confused about what was going on. However, once I got into it more I found that this book reflects on addiction whether it’s drugs or an addiction to technology and social media. This is what life is like for the majority of us, We’re all addicted to something and could do with a simple life without these addictions.
It has left me in thought.

My final thought:
Analog sun by Alex Woodard is decently written and because I listened to the audiobook I thought Scott Brick was the right narrator for this short story. While it confused me at times and I struggled getting into it, I can say that it has been an eye opening experience and I’m leaving with a new sense of life hoping to give technology and social media a break and going outside and touching grass even if it’s just for a day every so often just to recharge and enjoy life.
I feel this is a 3.5 star.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Analog Sun” has a great concept, but the follow through is, well, a bit odd. It felt like you were watching the author grow in real time from the beginning of this short story/novella till the end of it.

The beginning of it was convoluted. Too many words describing things. Almost as if you were in a beginner’s creative writing class. And then the writing gets better. It was odd.

The situation with addiction struck a chord with me since I have had many students and family members struggle with these issues. The justifications and excuses while they are hurting sounded familiar.

But then things change into an adventure of sorts.

This was not bad, but just, well, I said it before…odd. Maybe it would have been better to take some time and make it a full novel. It just didn’t feel like we ever fleshed anything out.

Scott Brick does a great job narrating this story. That is the best part about this experience.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lesson I learned from this book…. GO OUTSIDE!

I enjoyed this. It reminded me a number of years ago when I moved away from concrete to an area that doesn’t have street lights. Many look outside and see brown. I look outside and see no concrete and the vast of nothing and it’s beautiful. The author did a wonderful job of gently reminding us that all the technology that is supposed to “help” us, may actually be hurting and potentially controlling us. He did this without lecturing.

The narrator was listed as Scott Brick. I’ve never listened to any of his work before, however I can see he’ll be narrating a few larger “big releases” in the next few months. I enjoyed his style and have no complaints.

My only negative was the beginning had me a bit confused as to what was happening and why. I feel like I needed a bit more. I’m so glad I stuck with it because I did enjoy the book. But had this not been an ARC, I may have dumped it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was an awesome novella.