Taste the Bright Lights [Paperback]

'This is 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 about an hour afterwards. In fact, I'm still having nightmares about it.' -- Amazon review, 2008

'Stunning, gritty, heartbreaking' --Amazon review, 2008

'This book knocked me sideways...will speak for the disenchanted voice of a generation much like Catcher in the Rye did to the youth in the 50s.' --Amazon review, 2008

'A brilliant book which should be on the syllabus of every secondary school.' --Amazon review, 2009

'Exceptional'
--Amazon review, 2009

A hard-hitting novel following two months in the life of 14 year old Lisa as she runs away and learns to survive on the streets. Random House said: 'Extremely well-written. The narrative voice is particurly strong and supple, conveying both Lisa's teenage defiance and her immense vulnerability.' A Lulu reviewer said: 'GREAT book, very authentic! All teenagers should read it and definitely all parents. Will become a classic.' NEW REVIEWS JUST IN! 'Brilliant - all teenage girls should read it.' 'Breath-taking...I was totally amazed by it. By god it deserves a hearing.' 'I really applaud your capacity to speak in the voice of a 14 yr old - it's so genuine, honest, comic at times and vivid.'(reader review) 'Great book, very impressed.' (reader review) 'Great narrative voice and really well-paced.' (reader review) 'I'm halfway through your book - it's brilliant! Is it wrong that I really fancy a barrack buster and a couple of pills?' (reader review)

A hard-hitting novel following two months in the life of 14 year old Lisa as she runs away from home and learns to survive on the streets. Second edition published November 2010.

Laura Canning is a writer and journalist based in Ireland and Thailand. Her new novel is due out in June 2011. More on her journalism and fiction can be found at her website http://www.lauracanning.net

Karen sat down on one of the couch cushions and pulled the bottle of vodka out of her fleece. The Mackers one sat down and starting rolling a feg. Me and Nicola stood there, still lemony. We weren't waiting to be asked to sit down, cos this wasn't high tea, but we didn't want to just take it for granted in case we weren't staying. Weren't allowed to stay. But then Karen said, Here, Nicola, givvis one more feg and you me and Lisa'll split the rest of this voddy-

So we sat down.And that was it.

We were in.