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Book Cover for: Go: A Memoir about Binge-drinking, Self-hatred, and Finding Happiness, Jessica Bell

Go: A Memoir about Binge-drinking, Self-hatred, and Finding Happiness

Jessica Bell

***From the singer of the well-known dream-pop group, Keep Shelly in Athens.***


All it took was one secret drink at fifteen for Jessica Bell to binge-drink herself into oblivion for the next ten years.


In 1980s Australia, Erika Bach and Demetri Vlass, who founded Ape the Cry and Hard Candy, two of Melbourne's iconic indie bands, encouraged Jessica with unreserved love to pick up the guitar and write her own songs. But Erika's back problem became a nightmare of pill-popping, alcohol abuse, and anxiety attacks, and Demetri retreated into silence for fear of triggering Erika's drug-induced psychosis.


To escape the madness at home, and the torment of hating herself, Jessica experimented with bisexuality in a high school rife with bullies, lost her virginity to rape, and tried to supplement absent love with unprotected one-night stands. All under the influence of alcohol.


Until one day alcohol nearly drove Jessica off a cliff.


Jessica had to look at herself honestly and frankly. Why did she keep running from reality, and more importantly, herself? And was finding happiness from within, possible?



Praise for GO


"Admirable" The Sydney Morning Herald


"Ends on a note of optimism, of finding a sense of self amidst extreme chaos" Newfound Journal


"One of those memoirs that will stay with you" The Compulsive Reader



Previously published as 'Dear Reflection: I Never Meant to be a Rebel'.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
  • Publish Date: Feb 23rd, 2021
  • Pages: 262
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - 0002
  • Dimensions: 8.00in - 5.00in - 0.65in - 0.52lb
  • EAN: 9781925965568
  • Categories: Substance Abuse & Addictions - AlcoholPersonal Growth - HappinessEntertainment & Performing Arts

About the Author

Bell, Jessica: - ​​Jessica Bell is an award-winning author/poet, writing/publishing coach, graphic designer, and singer-songwriter who was born in Melbourne, Australia. She has been featured in a variety of publications and ABC Radio National shows such as Writer's Digest, Publisher's Weekly, The Guardian, Life Matters, and Poetica. She is also the Publisher of Vine Leaves Press, and CEO of Independent Publishing Assistance. For more information about Jessica's other projects, visit, iamjessicabell.com.

Praise for this book

"Admirable" The Sydney Morning Herald


"Ends on a note of optimism, of finding a sense of self amidst extreme chaos" Newfound Journal


"One of those memoirs that will stay with you" The Compulsive Reader


"Highly relatable" Babydolls and Razorblades


"A testament to the power of the human spirit" Writers' Know-How


"I'll admit it. I was won over." Karl Drinkwater


"A great, touching and very eye-opening experience." Avalinah's Books


"Gut-wrenchingly open and honest - the like of which we haven't seen that often since Maya Angelou's I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings." T E Shepherd


"A moving, frightening, intense and beautifully-narrated page-turner" Bookmuse