Taste the Bright Lights - The Lisa Diaries, #1

Welcome to the jungle..."Canning's writing is that rare thing in the world of books: original and totally honest. Outstanding. Breathtaking. By god it deserves a hearing." (On the Brinks bestselling author Sam Millar)When the peeler threw me into the copcar the giggles went so fast it was like the door had slammed off sound. Paul was going to kill me Paul was going to kill me- There was me and Nicola and Gonzo, all crammed into the back seat and all shitting ourselves.
The car reeked of Buckfast and cider. Nicola had stopped laughing now. She stared out the windie with a tragic expression, like someone looking out to sea in memory of her dead husband. Gonzo was muttering something about getting peelers shot. And me? I was dead I was dead I was dead. Being fourteen is grim. Being Lisa O'Neill is hell. Living in a rundown town, in a home where she's not wanted and with insecurities she'd rather die than reveal, Lisa's only lifelines are her friends and her dream of finally being on her own. So when her best friend Nicola needs to run away - now, this minute - Lisa gets her big chance of finally being free.
Now it's time for the life she's always craved, away from the hurt and shame that's dogged her all her life. But in Lisa's world, dreams always come with a price... How far would you go for a second chance? A blisteringly raw and critically acclaimed coming-of-age story about a teenage girl on the run from herself. "tragic, sad, infuriating, and very funny - and sometimes all of those at once. A superbly written book and I thoroughly recommend it.""The author clearly knows her stuff, but, unlike a lot of writers who also 'know their stuff', proves adept at weaving that knowledge (and obvious compassion) into a powerful and gripping story.""The most terrifying book I've ever read.
It's scary because it bleeds truth. Incendiary reading. Exemplary writing. I read it in one sitting and couldn't move for an hour afterwards. In fact, I'm still having nightmares about it.""I was totally blown away by this book and read it almost in one sitting.""Exceptional. I was immediately captured by the powerful and witty writing.""Parents!!: READ THIS BOOK! This book screams for you to read it and have long talks with your kids.
Read this in one sitting. While it is very dark, there is still hope here. Read itLearn from it. Teach your children from it."