You might like 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman. It's a bit different as it focuses on a boy raised in a graveyard among ghosts. It has a touch of humor along with the spooky elements, which makes it a great introduction to ghost hunting fiction.
Sure. 'The Gold - Bug' by Edgar Allan Poe is a good start. It's an old classic that involves some basic cryptography concepts in a short and interesting story.
'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves is also suitable. It gives an insider's view of the Roman Empire, with a focus on the life of Claudius. The writing is accessible and it's full of interesting historical details and political drama.
One could start with 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' by Kate DiCamillo. It's about a china rabbit's experiences and how he learns about love, loss, and the meaning of life. It has gentle psychological themes that are easy to understand. Also, 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl has some psychological aspects. It shows how a young boy copes with a difficult family situation and finds adventure and friendship in an unexpected place.
For beginners, 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger can also be considered. Although it's mainly about time travel, there are elements of a psychic connection between the two main characters. It's a very moving and beautifully written story that can be a great introduction to the idea of characters having a special, almost psychic, bond.
For beginners, 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It's a short but very effective horror story about a group of people staying in a haunted house. The ambiguity of the horror makes it really interesting.
Another option could be 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle. While not strictly pure quantum fiction, it does incorporate some ideas related to space - time and different dimensions which are related to the broader concepts in quantum mechanics. It's a classic that has been beloved by generations and can serve as an entry point into thinking about more complex quantum - inspired ideas.
For beginners, 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien is a great choice. It has an engaging adventure story with a likable protagonist in Bilbo Baggins. The world - building is accessible and it's a shorter read compared to Tolkien's more complex works like 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Sure. 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie is a great start. It's a classic mystery thriller with a simple yet engaging plot. A group of people are invited to an island and then start getting killed one by one. Christie is a master of creating suspense and this book is a good example.
Sure. 'Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster: The Making of a Mage' is quite popular. It delves into the backstory of the powerful mage Elminster. You get to see his journey from a young lad to a master of magic, with all the trials and tribulations in between.
I'd also recommend 'Ancillary Justice'. It's a thought - provoking book that explores themes like identity and artificial intelligence in a science - fiction setting. While it has some complex ideas, the story is told in a way that new science fiction readers can enjoy.