Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle is my favorite Studio Ghibli movie, so when I found out it was based on a book I was very excited to read it. I bought it, started reading it, and only put it down because I had to work.
The book is very different from the movie, telling its own story that the movie branches off from in many ways. While I think the movie is wonderful, the book was even better. Not only is the book magical, fun, and full of humor brought on by the very flawed characters, but it strings you along in a way by presenting the mystery of the contract between Howl and Calcifer, and several other bits of story that we get pieces of here and there. Since I'd seen the movie so many times, I didn't think anything would really surprise me but I was wrong! So much was explained throughout the book that made everything make much more sense. And, it's explained in a way that keeps you wondering. I guess the best way to describe it would be the author leaving a trail of breadcrumbs.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!