SHORTWAVE RADIO ANYONE?

I'm not sure why I have never invested in a shortwave radio before (called a "world band" radio for anyone that consistently watched Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego), but I figure now is the time. 14 months will afford a bevy of time in which I am bored of whatever book I am reading and also need to hear world news and languages I can understand.

Anyone own one that they recommend? The smaller the better obviously...