DC Pierson's debut book, The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To, explores both the promise and pitfalls of insomnia along with the power and problems of imagination.  Pierson's novel looks at the world of two high school outcasts, united through the fake worlds they create, who quickly find themselves in situations that are rapidly getting out of control.  And while there's a lot of humor in Pierson's book - particularly in his (through the narrator, Darren) observations on human behavior - the book itself isn't just a lark: it's about regret, stupid drama, hormones, first experiences and finding out about who you really are - even when that answer isn't exactly to your liking.  In short, it's about growing up.

Insomnia is a helluva thing.  Your mind rattles on, refusing to let you slip away into the land of fantasy and confusion promised by falling asleep.  And while you may find yourself pursuing some random tangent or another - like finding out everything you can about the long forgotten cartoon show Kissyfur - you rarely get up to anything really productive.  You may read more, or watch more television or movies, but you're not working diligently on a cure for disease or a practical version of the flying car. 

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Song: "Lightning Crashes" by Live

Event: Live Concert with Girl With Whom I Was Hopelessly In Love

Laying on a ratty blanket that someone had brought from their basement, staring up at the stars in this outdoor concert area while the band played, fairly stoned on shitty high school grade weed, I had very little idea what was going on.  And I couldn't have been happier.

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