Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.



Synopsis
An alternative cover for this ISBN can be found here

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

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When is this starting?

I think we decided on June 10th bc that's what I wrote in my notepad, if that works for everyone wanting to read it.

If I can fit in a re-read I will.
And I really do want to read #2

I would love to join if it starts after the 10th, maybe 12th. Also, if needed I just can join later on.
I want to read this series and watch anime again (Have seen it really long time ago).

the 12th is fine with me

Elen wrote: "I would love to join if it starts after the 10th, maybe 12th. Also, if needed I just can join later on.
I want to read this series and watch anime again (Have seen it really long time ago)."

I saw the movie at a random outdoor cinema viewing one year and loved it. That is what got me interested in the books :)

I'll happily join if you don't mind. I have not read it in a long while and was a childhood favorite. This is my first buddy read.

I didn't know this was a book. I thought it was just a masterpiece of a movie.

Aren’t all good movies based on books? 😉

Haha truth!

For what date we decided to do BR? 12th June?

yeah i think the 12th is good. mods, can we get the date added to the post?

I have wanted to read this forever. I'm in for Team Draco!

I might join for this as well if I can manage 😅

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "If I can fit in a re-read I will.
And I really do want to read #2"

I just realised you meant there's a second book in the series... ereigjvnerin What the pants!! I wish I knew all about this when I watched the movie ages ago! I would have read them all non-stop, one after the other.

Definitely in for this buddy read representing Team Tonks

lol!

There are 3 books in this series :D

I'm in for this one

Elen wrote: "There are 3 books in this series :D"

The first one is still my favorite. Though, my all time favorite Diana Wynne Jones is Dark Lord of Derkholm.

My UNO team captain recommended this book so I am really looking forward to it.

i just read Eight Days of Luke the other day and really liked it so i'm excited to read more by this author

I just borrowed this book from a friend and I can see how perfect the timing is! I'm in!

Starting this book...now.

Anyone else not seen the movie and going into the book without any ideas?

I will start book tomorrow or the latest is the day after that, bc someone doesn't want to return the book to the library (overdue).

I have seen the movie, but it was ages ago, so I don't remember anything about it. And never have read a book, but I have heard so many good things about it.

I have never seen the movie or read the book, but I've owned the book for about 5 years - yikes! I'm really hoping to get to it - I kind of over-committed myself with buddy reads (but they are all so shiny) - however, I think I should be able to start this later this week, if real life cooperates.

i'll be starting it here in a little bit. i've seen the movie once but it was awhile ago. i've heard they are very different so i'm definitely going to do a rewatch after i read this

I saw the movie years after I read the book and they are really quite different from each other.

Since I read and loved the book first, I was disappointed with the movie.

I’m not putting this under spoilers since it’s literally on the second page, but I really liked this line:

“To which Martha always retorted that she would end up disgustingly rich without having to marry anybody. “

I am a reread as I grew up reading all of DWJ. I hope everyone enjoys it and I will start today.

ch 1-2

(view spoiler)[I love that Martha and Lettie took things into their own hands and traded places so they would be happy, instead of blindly following what Fanny had setup for them.

Poor Sophie. It is like the longer she is alone, the more she pulls into herself. In a way, the Witch of the Waste did her a favor. I don't know if she would have ever left the shop if she hadn't been turned into an old woman.

(hide spoiler)]

I am halfway and I this isn't a spoiler but it is really nice to be able to reread children's books and not find that you can no longer enjoy them. So many end up sexist or racist that I did not notice as a child.

ch 2-5

(view spoiler)[Sophie is a lot braver as an old woman and manages to get into Howl's castle. She meets Calcifer (one of my favorite characters), a fire demon and Michael and strikes a bargain with Calcifer.

Howl mostly ignores her, except to keep her out of his bedroom and backyard.

I think the rotating door is awesome!

(hide spoiler)]

i read chapters 1-3 and i'm really liking it so far but i'm getting tired so i think i'm gonna stop for the night

i also loved martha's line about how she was going to get rich without marrying anyone and also (view spoiler)[how her and lettie switched spots so they could be happy. it's a shame they couldn't work anything out for sophie but she's definitely having an adventure now lol (hide spoiler)]

i can't decide if it's a good or bad thing that i haven't seen the movie for so long. you'd think it would be good because it would keep me from comparing the two but really it's like comparing the book to some half remembered dream so i hope that doesn't become a problem for me *g*

Finished through chapter 4 this evening.

Martha and Lettie - (view spoiler)[They seem to have done very well for themselves trading places, but I do think that they could have made more of an effort to help Sophie. It seems clear they understood Fanny's intentions and could have given her some kind of warning. (hide spoiler)]

Sophie - (view spoiler)[I'm not sure whether to feel sorry for her because of the witch's spell or be thankful that it got her out of that awful store. At least being old seems to have given her a bit of backbone. (hide spoiler)]

Howl - (view spoiler)[He seems a bit odd at the moment, which I suppose is fairly normal for a wizard. Although he hasn't really done much at this point. (hide spoiler)]

Overall the book is off to a fun start, and I am looking forward to continuing it tomorrow.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1-2

..."

I completely agree (view spoiler)[about all three girls. The rotating door is definitely the most interesting feature of the house. I'm not sure what to think of Calcifer, but he is certainly an intriguing character. I'm looking forward to learning more about him. (hide spoiler)]

ch 6 - 8

(view spoiler)[Howl is such a teenager some times - drowning the castle in green go when things don't go his way.

I like how things come together with Michael courting Martha/Lettie and Howl courting Lettie/Lettie.

The scarecrow must be very scary to upset Sophie so bad and then to bother Howl as well.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1 and 2

(view spoiler)[So far, so good. I find that I'm comparing what I'm reading to what I remember of the movie. I don't remember her sisters. I do remember the walking stick quite well. I like Sophie young and old and do think being old has given more courage or just lessened her worries (hide spoiler)]

One of my other BRs might not be happening (or is postponed at least) so I think I'll start this too! Team Lockhart! Hi Elen & Emily :)

@Tina (view spoiler)[yeah i like that she gets turned old and instead of freaking out like oh no i'm ugly and wrinkly and my life is over she's just like mmm well i guess i've gotta get shit done now lol (hide spoiler)]

Finished. I am enjoying people's responses who have no read it before. (view spoiler)[ I always like how Howl is more competent than given credit but at the same time, Sophie really does solve everything. I also enjoy Cal. Though really, spells or no spells, they need to work on communication. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished the first two chapters. It has me wondering why I haven't read this before - it is charming!

Suzanne wrote: "I just finished the first two chapters. It has me wondering why I haven't read this before - it is charming!"

Yes it is. Enjoy your first read. I tend to re-read this every few years because it is just fun.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I just finished the first two chapters. It has me wondering why I haven't read this before - it is charming!"

Yes it is. Enjoy your first read. I tend to re-read this every few yea..."
I now want to reread Dark Lord of Derkholm as it is my favorite.

Lexi wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I just finished the first two chapters. It has me wondering why I haven't read this before - it is charming!"

I now want to reread Dark Lord of Derkholm as it is my favorite. "

If you want to set it up, I'd be up for doing a Buddy Read. I've never read it but the description sounds awesome.

I've never heard of that before, but the description sounds great!

chapters 4-7

(view spoiler)[i love how sophie said that she would always get embarrassed by things when she was a girl but now that she's an old lady she just does not give a shit lol really a good life philosophy at any age

also oh my god howl is such a drama queen pouting about his hair lol. and i'm not remembering her sisters at all from the movie, did they cut that out? seems kind of weird because they seem to be shaping up to be rather important but it's been ages since i've seen it (hide spoiler)]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I just finished the first two chapters. It has me wondering why I haven't read this before - it is charming!"

I now want to reread Dark Lord of..."

Would sometime from July 10-15 work for you?