Portland-based author Jason Beem on his first novel "Southbound"

Host Ken Jones talks with Portland-based author Jason Beem about his first novel Southbound. The book follows a recovering gambling addict who, in the wake of losing his job for the summer, and his girlfriend, makes a gambling pilgrimage to the big three Southern California horse racing tracks in search of one last big score. Jason himself is a track announcer at Portland Meadows and a recovering gambling addict, which makes for an interesting combination. He’s also working towards a Masters degree in addiction counseling at Lewis & Clark College.
 
“Jason Beem’s novel Southbound derails your ordinary life and shoots you into the thrill, rush, and dark brutal truths of gambling and racing. And he doesn’t flinch. A glorious and visceral book. I sweat reading it.”–Lidia Yuknavitch, author of The Chronology of Water and Dora: A Headcase.