Another good one is 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' by M. R. James. These short stories are easy to get into. They often feature old, creepy settings and strange apparitions that are sure to introduce beginners to the world of fictional ghost stories.
For beginners, 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde is great. It has a bit of humor along with the spooky elements. The ghost in this story is more comical in his attempts to haunt the American family, but it still has that classic ghost story feel.
You could also start with 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving. The Headless Horseman is a well - known and spooky figure. The story has a great sense of atmosphere and is a good entry point into the genre of fictional ghost stories.
A good beginner - friendly ghost story book is 'Wait Till Helen Comes' by Mary Downing Hahn. It's a story about a stepfamily who moves into an old church. The youngest girl starts to be influenced by a ghost named Helen. It's not overly complex, but it has enough mystery and scares to get someone new to the genre interested.
Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' is another good option. It's a bit more on the lighter side of horror but still has its spooky moments. The story is about a boy who discovers the existence of witches and has to stop their evil plan to turn all children into mice. It has Dahl's signature dark humor and engaging storytelling.
I'd recommend 'The Turn of the Screw' for beginners. Although it's complex in its ambiguity, it's a well - known and highly regarded ghost story. 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' by M.R. James also works well. His stories are not overly long or complex in language. 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' is another good option. The story is easy to follow and the idea of the Headless Horseman is both iconic and spooky enough for newbies to the genre.
For beginners, 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde is a great start. It has a touch of humor along with the spooky elements, which makes it not too overwhelming. Another good one is 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving. It's a well - known and fairly easy - to - follow story. 'Ghost Hunters' by Neil Spring is also suitable. It has a modern feel and is engaging from the start.
A good one for beginners is 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde. It has a blend of humor and spookiness. The ghost tries to haunt the American family living in Canterville Chase but is constantly thwarted in his attempts, which makes for an entertaining read while still having those ghostly elements.
For beginners, 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry is a great choice. It's a short and simple yet profound story. Another good one is 'Charlotte's Web' by E.B. White. It has a touching story about friendship between a pig and a spider. 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum is also suitable. It's an adventure - filled story with interesting characters.
If you're new to ghost novels, 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman is a wonderful start. It's set in a graveyard and has a unique story about a boy raised by ghosts. And 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens also has some ghostly elements and is a very accessible classic, which can introduce you to the world of ghost - related stories in a friendly way.
For beginners, 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde is a great choice. It has a bit of humor along with the ghostly elements, making it not too scary. 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman is also good. The story is engaging and the illustrations in some versions add to the spooky atmosphere. Another option is 'The Little Ghost' by Otfried Preussler. It's a simple and charming story about a little ghost that is easy to follow.
For beginners, 'The Shining' is a great start. It's very well - known and has been adapted into movies. The story of a haunted hotel and a family in danger is easy to follow. Another good one is 'Bag of Bones'. It has a more straightforward ghost story plot with a writer as the main character who encounters the supernatural. 'Pet Sematary' can also be considered. Although it's quite dark, the basic concept of a place where the dead can be brought back with ghostly consequences is easy to understand.
For beginners, 'The Shining' is a great start. It's very well - known and has been made into a movie, so it's easy to follow. Another good one is 'Bag of Bones'. It has a straightforward plot and is not as complex as some of his other works.