This week, Soundcheck has hosted some great writers of rock fiction. This made us wonder - what makes a great rock novel? How to convincingly portray characters who are, in many cases, stranger than fiction? Michael Schaub, managing editor of Bookslut and book critic for NPR, joins us to break down the genre. He also shares his Top 5 rock fiction reads.

Michael Schaub's Top Five Rock Novels

1. The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salman Rushdie
2. Master of Reality by John Darnielle
3. Great Jones Street by Don DeLillo
4. The Exes by Pagan Kennedy
5. The Last Rock Star Book, or, Liz Phair: A Rant by Camden Joy