Welcome to Litsy!

This was just as whimsical and wonderful as I was hoping for, and it was fun to spend a little time with Howl and Sophie again 😊

This was my #bookspin for September!

I read this a few years ago and enjoyed it, but I think I liked it even more this time around as my husband finished his journey through the Howl's Moving Castle series. Can't get over Twinkle. Really wish there was more to this series. Also feel like Mr. Baker deserves his own freedom where he breaks free from his wife. #Fantasy

Joyfully chaotic is right! I don‘t have much to say for it besides it was a easy, low-maintenance, YA read. A palette-cleanser :)

Awww - Folio Society liked my picture so much they sent a fancy IG request asking if they could use it.

This feels a little ahead of schedule! I haven‘t gotten round to reading Castle in the Air yet…

I guess the real question is - how long can I resist it? (The postage makes me 🥺)

This one was very enjoyable! I loved having a bookworm main character as well as a new story where the world ties perfectly to the first book. The only thing that made it so-so was that some of the story seemed to drag with details that didn‘t need to be overexplained. If you are going to read the series, I think you should read this one after the first novel.

Photo: Goodreads

Certainly better than the second book but still not as satisfying for me as the first. I‘m glad Charmain grew as a person and found her purpose by the end, but she was not a lovable main character. Love that the house was like the moving castle with all its secrets and that there were still fun, surprise reveals like in the other books. Lubbocks and Lubbockins are pretty frightening!

My husband made this wooden bookmark for me for Christmas 😍

I started this book 7 years ago & allegedly finished it, but I am quite certain that I remember not finishing because I had to return it to the library. I finally made it through and enjoyed it quite a bit. In usual Diana fashion, the book waits until the last chapter to unveil many things at once. It was a fun, magical slice of life. It was also fun to see the Pendragon family be part of the story. #magic #fantasy #howlsmovingcastle #sliceoflife

The eccentric sequel to Howl‘s Moving Castle sees a cameo of our beloved characters as they help an unknowing young witch and clueless young wizard save their kingdom, their lives, and their very future! A tale that‘s as straight forward and charming as the house in which it is set, it will keep you guessing at the truth until the very last line!

After looking this story up I saw there was a story to read before this one: Castle in the Air. I‘m excited to check them both out further!

“Of course, with that magical family involved, there‘s bound to be chaos—and unexpected revelations. No one will be more surprised than Charmain by what Howl and Sophie discover.”

This fantasy seems really interesting, I plan on reading the whole thing outside of this assignment. In the story, a character name Charmain Baker is introduced. Her duty in the story seems to be to house sit for great uncle, William. The cottage she is watching turns out to have a lot going on. Wizards and special doors. I would read this to an older group of elementary students.

Making the best of early 90+ degree weather 🙃

“In this moment of despair, Charmain could only think of doing what she always did in a crisis: bury herself in a book.”
#mood

This book seems interesting. I love how there are so many possibilities in this house and how magical the story is.

Fantasy Published in 2008
This is the sequel to Howl‘s Moving Castle. Charmain Baker is looming over her great uncle who is ill. His house bends space and time. Every door leads to somewhere different. Charmain opened a door and now suddenly is responsible for a magical dog.

This is my second favorite in the Howl‘s Moving Castle series, however the main characters shift. Sophie and Howl are still there of course, but the story is about Charmain Baker, who would rather read than anything else. It was really interesting, much like the HMC the building and characters are truly enchanting!

Finishing up the series.

Main character would rather read all day than contribute to society. Reminds me of someone. Has to learn the error of her ways.

S : Sleeping Giants
H : House of Many Ways
A : Assassin‘s Apprentice
R : Radiance
N : Nightmares!
I : Indigo Donut

Name a book for every letter of your name ☺️ #everyletter

Reading this for #popsugarbookchallenge as next in series. I loved this book and Howls Moving Castle which is the first book in the series. Loved her writing. 5 out of 5 🌟

Grapefruit and patchouli oils mix really well together. I am in aromatherapy heaven this morning! Happy Sunday, Littens! #sundaymorning #aromatherapy #essentialoils

I was at my old elementary school tonight, and their Little Free Library is almost empty. That's unacceptable, so I combed through my discards in search of stuff younger kids might like. I plan to put a 4-leaf clover in each book (because finding 4-leaf clovers is my superpower and I figure the kids might get a kick out of them) and drop the lot over there the next time I'm nearby.

#BookHaul #howlsmovingcastle #Houseofmanyways

Apparently some people don't carry a book with them everywhere they go. Today, I have 4 (counting my Kindle)

It's been a very long time since I've treated myself to a day just for me...

Posting for @Foragingfantasy - these are my favorite DWJ covers out of the UK (these are exotic 'alternates' for me since I am in the US).
Top row has the only other House cover I have seen. Still need to get Castle in the Air for the set but I know it exists 🙂
Look at all the little images inside & around the type - these are delightful!

A reread of which I remembered surprisingly little. I ❤️ how aware Charmain is of her tendency to be unkind and how she makes great strides in heading towards her best self. Can definitely identify with a character that retreats from trouble with a book in hand ? The scenes dealing with housework made me giggle - probably more so now because I'm out in the world "adulting". As always, DWJ writes a magical world that id pack my bags and move to!

Finally finished these up! They're all so magical and I loved reading them, but I can't help but feel a lot of my enthusiasm for the latter two hinged on knowing they would involve my long-time beloved characters (i.e. Sophie and Howl). They are great standalone stories, but they're definitely improved once the old friends are in the picture. ❤️

'Dividing the food was not easy because Peter had not bothered to peel anything or cut it up before he put it in the pot. They had to hack the cabbage apart with two spoons. Nor had Peter remembered that a stew needs salt. Everything - white, soggy bacon, hunk of rabbit, whole turnip and flabby onion - floated in weak watery juice. To put it mildly, the food was quite horrible.'

😂😂😂

I needed that laugh.

After getting this off the DWJ shelf the other day for a photo prompt - I thought a reread was in order. After a not-so-great day at work (I had to take two Harry Potter books out of circulation 😭 one due to water damage and the other due to loose pages) I was excited to get reading. I'd forgotten how unapologetically unbothered Charmain is 😂

#favoritebookishfriendship - Charmain Baker, Waif, Peter & Great Uncle William

(with guest appearances by Sophie and Howl 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜)

#augustphotochallenge @TheSpinecrackersBookClub

I borrowed the audiobook this morning. I'm in heaven. I was missing this magical world. 😍