I just finished Jonathan Lethem’s You Don’t Love Me Yet and it comes highly recommended. I’ve never read any Lethem before (apart from his phenomenal “Ecstasy of Influence” essay) and this was a great introduction to his work. The was he weaves issues of art, sex, and creative identity into the text is just stunning, not to mention it is incredibly well written. I suppose it especially rung true as it refers to a Los Angeles based band trying to achieve a sense of worth…anyway, do yourself a favor and check it out.