I love those moments when you find just the right book at the right time. (Also, I did a semester abroad in London in 1999--I must be just a couple of years older than you.)

Anyway, I have a soft spot for Kureishi because he wrote My Beautiful Laundrette, which is one of my favorite movies of all time. I'd be interested to hear what you think of The Buddha of Suburbia if you ever do reread it!