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Book Review: The Shining

Book Review: The Shining

If you have seen the movie or the Simpson’s movie parody, you may think you know the story of The Shining. You might think you know what you’re in for, notwithstanding the fact that movies always vary a little from their source material.

You have no idea what you’re in for.

"The Woman In Black" & "I Am Legend": That's right, Happy Halloween!

"The Woman In Black" & "I Am Legend": That's right, Happy Halloween!

It’s hard to believe that it’s autumn and almost Halloween living in near-seasonless SoCal, where the high today is 95F (a balmy 35C). The high wind warning, at least, is creating obliging scratching at the windows from branches and leaves all tousled about. It’s a far cry from my childhood, where costumes were made to fit over snowsuits. To feel a little more seasonable, I’ve joined in on the tradition of ready spooky books: The Woman In Black by Susan Hill, and I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. Both of these stories have been made into movies, but if you think you know the stories you’re wrong.

Writing the Vulnerable: 'The Girl on the Train' Review

The Girl on the Train is a story primarily from the perspective of Rachel, a depressed alcoholic who catches the same commuter train each morning and evening. From her window seat, she glimpses brief moments in the lives of those living along the train track. The predictable normalcy of her window watching is shattered when the illusion of perfection cracks in her favourite couple. Soon, Rachel is caught up in a mystery far out of her control.

CW/TW: Gas lighting, emotional abuse, domestic abuse. 4/5 stars.