Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Castle Book 1)

by Diana Wynne Jones

She read a great deal, and very soon realized how little chance she had of an interesting future.

So true

Interesting things did seem to happen, but always to somebody else.

Mother knows you don’t have to be unkind to someone in order to exploit them.

“Don’t you want your heart eaten?” asked the fire.

AHHHHH

Howl’s quite heartless, you know.”

Howl swung his sleeve in front of her face. “Uh-uh. Don’t be nosy.” “I’m not being nosy!” Sophie protested. “That room—!” “Yes, you are nosy,” said Howl. “You’re a dreadfully nosy, horribly bossy, appallingly clean old woman. Control yourself. You’re victimizing us all.”

I love it

“Well now,” he said. “Now we both know each other’s faults.

But the smile had mollified her.

Dear Sophie, do please tell me how you bully a fire demon into being that obliging.

“Well, he’s fickle, careless, selfish, and hysterical,” she said. “Half the time I think he doesn’t care what happens to anyone as long as he’s all right—but then I find out how awfully kind he’s been to someone. Then I think he’s kind just when it suits him—only then I find out he undercharges poor people.

“Howl has been very kind to me.” And this was true, Sophie realized. Howl showed his kindness rather strangely, but, considering all Sophie had done to annoy him, he had been very good to her indeed.