recently, currently etc...

recently finished reading everything is illuminted by jonathan safran foer. i neglected reading this when it was being so completely overhyped, as i so often 'neglect' to read things that are overhyped. but this book, i am happy to say, lives up to most of the hype. it's been quite some time since i've read someone with such a feel for storytelling. it's overly emotional, but you don't notice...it's overly quippy, but you don't notice that either...the only thing i noticed was how completely wrapped up in the story and the writing i became, before i was even aware of it. highly recommended.
also recently finished pan by knut hamson. first things first, if you've not read hunger by knut hamson, go now, buy it, and read it, immediately. with that said, if you have read already read 'hunger', and liked it (of course, who wouldn't? honestly.), then please, move on to 'pan'...and that bit of non information, is all your getting about that one.

currently reading ask the dust by john fante. bukowski was a big fan, so i thought i would give him a try. because of the entirely too slow mass bay transportation authority, i was able to read 30 pages of this book as soon as i bought it. and i can see, why bukowski liked him, why i like bukowski, and why i'm probably not going to like this book.

currently listening to:

gogol bordello "underdog world strike"

...i really can't say enough about this band. their live show will kick your ass, leave you deaf for days, and bring out the roma blood in all of us. up to, and including, not bathing, ceaseless and senseless traveling, jangly jewelry, and dancing like mad until all hours of the morning.