couldn't find Howl's Moving Castle at my local library.. picked up A Strange Wild Magic instead.. and it's proving to be a very very satisfying second choice--i like being surprised, i like the gleeful joy that comes with it and i also like how you know the story's just going to be better and better..

more and more, i think, i'm shifting away from Ursula Leguin and into Diana Wynne Jones' territory. possibly it's got something to do with the fact that of the other novels i've read of LeGuin's, none has come close to blowing me away like her Earthsea quartet..

i'm glad i persevered with Left Hand of Darkness..was on the verge of giving up when Genly and Therem began their long trek over the Ice Shelf, then it became good.. unfortunately i only had half the book left to enjoy..

next author i want to read more of: Diana Wynne Jones. perhaps i should try Howl's Moving Castle, seeing how it will be Hayao Miyazaki's (of Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke fame) next project.

have i ever mentioned i lurrvee Full Metal Panic? Chidori and Sousuke have got to be one of my fav anime couples ever, along with Kagome and Inuyasha.

it's irritating when i like op and ed songs so much i quote them.. urgh..

"Together we searched for a place to hide As we ran in the rain.

Even if I collect the light which fills this world Within my pair of hands it'll light up the darkness So I won't get lost as it shines in the long continuous journey.."

• Shimokawa Mikuni, Tomorrow (Full Metal Panic)