Today we’re lucky to have a guest post from Christine Johnson, the author of Claire de Lune.  This book drops into bookstores TODAY!  This is our inaugural blog post on our brand new Pomegranate Books Blog.  I grew up with Christine, in Indianapolis, and had NO IDEA that she was a novelist!  To celebrate the release date of her first novel from Simon Pulse, a division of Simon and Schuster, we’re participating in a Big Blog Book Tour of Werewolf Blog Book Posts.  To see the rest of the participating blogs, head on over to http://thegardenofwords.wordpress.com  I’m also giving away a FREE copy of Claire de Lune with a signed book plate in it!

But first, Christine shares with us what werewolves like to read most.  Didn’t you know that werewolves like to read? Here’s what they pick up when they aren’t busy with other werewolfly activities.

YA Recommendations from Christine Johnson

The bookstores are FILLED with young adult books these days - how’s a teen to know which ones are *really* good? Which ones they absolutely need to pick up?

Here are some of my recommendations - one each for Claire, the main character of my new novel CLAIRE DE LUNE, as well as her boyfriend Matthew and her best friend Emily, and a couple of my own personal picks.

First up: Emily and Sarah Rees Brennan’s DEMON’S LEXICON and DEMON’S COVENANT (the sequel is out today!) These fast-paced and intriguing young adult fantasies feature a very sexy, very black-leather sort of guy named Nick. Emily LOVES guys like Nick - estranged bad boys, preferably with an artsy streak. She’d love these books and so do I!

Next: Matthew. Though he’s integral to a werewolf novel, Matthew’s the sort of guy who’d rather read more serious books - things like Heidi Ayarbe’s FREEZE FRAME, or John Green’s LOOKING FOR ALASKA, two authors who’s books you should be running out to pick up as well. They’re both amazing writers whom I very much admire. All of their books are amazing (and as far as John Green goes, his novel, PAPER TOWNS, is phenomenal as well.)

Last but far from least: Claire. I think Claire is 100% a Holly Black type. Her TITHE series of dark, modern faerie tales are perfect for my werewolf girl. Claire would appreciate the dark, gritty sides of the stories, but has enough soft optimist in her to appreciate the magic and romance in the tales, too. I’ve reread this series a couple of times, and it’s always as wonderful as it was when I first picked it up.

And now to my own recommendations! Strangely, I love all the authors my characters do. Heh. In addition, I think that if you only read one of the young adult books published in the last year - besides mine! - you should pick up GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray. It won the Michael L. Printz award and has garnered all sorts of critical and popular praise. It deserves all of its accolades. The writing, the story, the characters - there’s not a single thing in this book that I don’t like. Both adults and teens will enjoy this one, including teenage guys.

Well, what are you waiting for? Get on down to Pomegranate Books and start buying!

Best,

Christine

Win a Signed Copy of Claire de Lune

Isn't Christine great?  I swear I didn't pay her to say  that last sentence up there!  Don’t forget to check out the other Werewolf blogs.  My "home blog" is also hosting a giveaway of a new copy of Claire de Lune with a signed book plate.  Also, be sure to visit Christine’s website.  Are you dying to get your hands on a copy of Claire de Lune?  Call us at 910-452-1107 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we’ll order you one right away!