I know – this is a weird post for the holiday season, but I just finished reading The Shining by Stephen King and had to write about it.  I had never read the book before, even though I am a huge fan of King; I had started to read it when I was in middle school and never finished.  The student book club decided to read the book for their first common read, and I am glad they did!  I had seen the movie, but the book is so much better!  The two don’t even compare – the movie is so different, it does not do the book justice.  Of course, Jack Nicholson makes a great “bad guy;” how could he not with those crazy eyebrows??  And don’t get me wrong – the movie was creepy enough for me; I am a wimp when it comes to scary movies, but the book is so much more suspenseful!  I was constantly looking over my shoulder and listening for creaking noises when I was reading, waiting for those hedge animals to come get me.  And, of course, I had to read at night, when it is dark and the ghosts and ghouls come out to play.  Stephen King truly is the master of horror.  He is excellent at description and creating that sense of suspense.  If you haven’t ever read Stephen King, or haven’t in a while, pick up one of his books.  But have the covers and flashlight ready to protect yourself!