Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting

Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting is a '90's Britpop classic charting the adventures and woes of a group of friends from Leith, Renton, Sickboy, Spud and Begbie as well as members of their surrounding circle. The first 3 have serious heroin problems which they are constantly trying to kick and the 4th is a violent and angry criminal. The book is honest and straightforward about the reasons behind addiction and the problems it causes as well as darkly comical and very much of the moment. Welsh has a very unique voice and he's written a genuinely moving and exciting novel, narrated from several points of views and entirely in the dialect of the narrator - my American version came with a glossary at the back which proved essential to understanding large chunks of the text.

The popular film made from the novel was actually a pretty good adaptation, even if it did condense several characters together and leave out a few of the more disgusting scenes.

If you have a weak stomach or are easily offended you should probably avoid this, but otherwise, go read it, what are you waiting for?!