'The Graveyard Book' is also a great starting point. It's about a boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard. It has a lot of heart and humor, and it showcases Gaiman's talent for creating unique and memorable characters within a spooky yet warm - hearted setting.
You could also start with 'Good Omens', which he co - wrote with Terry Pratchett. It's a hilarious take on the apocalypse, with angels, demons, and an unlikely duo trying to stop the end of the world. It's a great introduction to Gaiman's style of mixing the supernatural with humor and social commentary.
You could also start with 'Stardust'. It's a charming story that combines elements of fairy tales and adventure. It follows a young man's journey into a magical land to find a fallen star. The writing is lyrical and the plot is engaging, making it a wonderful introduction to Neil Gaiman's body of work.
I'd recommend 'Coraline' if you're new to Neil Gaiman. It's relatively short and has a very engaging story. It's also a bit spooky which makes it really interesting. It's a good example of his ability to create unique and immersive worlds. Plus, it has been made into a movie so you can compare the two if you like.
If you like stories that blend the modern world with ancient mythology, 'American Gods' could be a great start. It has a really interesting premise and a lot of depth.
I would recommend 'Carrie'. It's one of his earlier works and is relatively short compared to some of his later, more complex novels. It gives you a good taste of his style, with elements of horror, high school drama, and the supernatural. It also shows how he can build tension and create a memorable story with just a few key characters.
You could start with 'Native Son' by Richard Wright. It's a very impactful novel that shows the life of Bigger Thomas, a young African American man in Chicago. It deals with poverty, racism, and the consequences of a society that oppresses. It's a bit darker but really shows the harsh realities.
I'd recommend 'The Shining'. It's a very well - known and accessible Stephen King novel. The story of a family in a haunted hotel is both spooky and engaging.
If you like shorter reads, 'Elantris' could be a good starting point. It's a stand - alone novel that showcases Sanderson's creativity. It has a unique setting, a good mix of magic and politics, and characters that you can easily get attached to. It gives you a sense of what his writing is like without having to commit to a long series right away.
You could start with 'The Green Mile'. It's a more emotional and less horror - intense story compared to some of his other novels. It's set in a prison and follows the story of a man with special powers on death row. The way King weaves the story of the inmates and the guards together is really interesting, and it gives you a sense of his storytelling skills beyond just scaring you.
I would recommend starting with 'The Pearl'. It's a relatively short and straightforward story that still contains many of Steinbeck's signature themes. It's easy to understand and can give you a good taste of his writing style, which often includes vivid descriptions of characters and their surroundings, as well as exploring deep human emotions.
If you're new, I'd recommend 'The Green Mile'. It's a relatively accessible story with elements of the supernatural and a strong emotional core. It's about the guards and inmates on death row and a mysterious inmate with special powers.