<p>We talk to writer <a href="https://chrishardingthornton.com" target="_blank">Chris Harding Thornton</a> about her debut novel, <a href="https://www.mcdbooks.com/books/pickard-county-atlas" target="_blank"><i>Pickard County Atlas</i></a>, out this week on MCD Books. We discuss overrated bands, noir, life as an opera major, working at a record store in the 1990s, what our families think about our writing, and the books we hate.</p>

Hosted by Joshua James Amberson, Karleigh Frisbie Brogan, and Jeff Alessandrelli in Portland, Oregon, The Steer features leading musicians talking about their favorite writers and books and leading writers talking about their favorite musicians and albums. Conversations often go elsewhere and following each talk is a playlist of songs or sounds discussed during the interview. New episodes drop every two weeks.