The Things They Carried?

I know what you mean about stories that lack an actual plot-- more like stream of consciousness writing which is still a popular form since Joyce kind of birthed it with Ulysses. I don't know but I am kind of down with books like this because I like to know what's going on in peoples heads. I don't know about the whole Tim O'Brien thing-- I haven't read it for like twelve years so I don't remember that. But you're fine if you read spark notes--- not really cheating, just resourceful. ;)