BETTER YET, ANSWER THIS IF YOU DARE

OK, I made it through the notorious first vignette in "Haunted." I trust you all are champing at the bit to share your own stories about the yuckiest thing that ever happened to you while masturbating. Or not.

Seriously, though, are there kids who devote huge amounts of time and energy looking for weird ways to do it?

ANSWER THIS, IF YOU DARE

I've alluded to this issue already, but I seriously want to know what you guys think, because this topic really intrigues me, even though it's really just futile speculation and could lead to arguments — nay, plate throwing — about sexism. Nevertheless. Can you tell that the author of this book is a woman? Would it occur to you that it was, if you didn't know? Be honest. I won't get mad, probably.

George's pick: "Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk

This is actually my second choice; I didn't want my first selection to be a Chuck Palahniuk book, but what I was planning on using others have read. Sorry.

And I don't think we're finished with "March." But I wanted to put this out there to give time for people to get a copy (in case they were using their local library).

Hero?

How effective a hero does everyone see March? His principles led him to enlisting, but it seems they also hindered him, namely instances of inaction such as at the Bluff or not taking the pistol. He was able to do some good, teaching freed men to read and write. But it seems he didn't do much for the abolitionist cause by coming down south like he expected. He didn't change any minds, he didn't free any slaves. Did his efforts justify overlooking his duties to his family?