Another good option is 'In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories' by Alvin Schwartz. It has simple yet effective scary stories that are easy to understand and will introduce a beginner to the world of spooky short stories. The writing style is straightforward and the scares are more about the build - up of tension.
I'd suggest 'Scary Stories for Young Foxes' by Christian McKay Heidicker. It's a great starting point as it has scary elements but is also accessible for those new to the genre. The stories are engaging and not overly gory or complex.
Another good one for beginners is 'The Maltese Falcon'. Although it's perhaps more well - known as a novel, the short story version still captures the essence of Hammett's writing. It's full of double - crosses, interesting characters like Sam Spade, and a hunt for a valuable object that makes for a great read.
I'd also recommend 'Requiem'. It's a short but powerful story that shows Heinlein's ability to evoke deep emotions. It's about an old man's final wish to go to the moon, and it's both poignant and inspiring.
I would also recommend 'The Dream of a Ridiculous Man'. It's a short but powerful story that contains many of Dostoevsky's typical themes like the search for meaning and the nature of humanity. The narrative is not overly convoluted, so it's accessible for those new to his works.
For a beginner, 'Sally' is a great Asimov short story. It's about self - driving cars that have a sort of sentience. It's an engaging story that doesn't require a lot of prior knowledge of Asimov's works. And 'Flies' is also interesting. It's a short but thought - provoking story that can get you hooked on Asimov's unique brand of science fiction.
Sure. 'The Aurelian' is a good start. It's relatively easy to follow compared to some of his more complex works. It has an interesting plot about a lepidopterist.
Sure. 'SCP - 1981' is a good one for beginners. It's in the form of a found VHS tape. The story is told through the footage on the tape which is disturbing and mysterious. It gives a good taste of the SCP style of storytelling.
Sure. 'I Am Legend' is a great start. It's not too complex and has a really interesting take on the zombie - like creatures. It gives you a good sense of the isolation and danger in a zombie - infested world. Another good one is 'The Girl with All the Gifts'. It has a simple enough plot for a beginner to follow but also has some really thought - provoking ideas about the zombies and the survivors.
I would recommend 'The Far and the Near' as it is relatively easy to understand and gives a good taste of Wolfe's writing style.
I'd also recommend 'The Hanging Balloons'. It tells a story where people's faces are on balloons that are hunting them down. It's a simple yet very effective horror concept that can be easily grasped by new readers.
For a beginner, 'The Tenth Clew' could be a great choice. It shows Hammett's ability to construct a mystery. The story unfolds in a way that makes it accessible for those new to his works, while still having the elements that make his writing so appealing.