I would recommend 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman for beginners. It has a unique take on ghosts and the afterlife. The story is set in a graveyard and the main character is raised by ghosts. It's not too scary but still has that ghostly charm. 'The Little Ghost' by Otfried Preußler is also a lovely beginner - friendly ghost story. It's a simple and sweet tale about a little ghost. And 'There's a Ghost in This House' by Oliver Jeffers is a picture book that can introduce younger readers or beginners to the concept of ghosts in a fun way.
For beginners, 'The Ghost Next Door' by R. L. Stine is a good start. Stine is known for his accessible horror stories, and this one has simple yet engaging ghostly elements. 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' by Alvin Schwartz is also great. It has a collection of short and spooky ghost stories that are easy to get into. Another option is 'Goosebumps: Welcome to Dead House' which has a classic ghost - house - type of story.
For beginners, 'Nancy Drew' series can be a great start. These books are about a young detective, Nancy Drew, who solves mysteries. They are easy to read and have exciting plots.
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.
Charlotte's Web' by E.B. White is also suitable for beginners. It's a heartwarming story about a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte. The language is easy to understand and the story is full of love and kindness.
'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman is another great choice. It's not too terrifying but still has a lot of ghostly elements. It follows a boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard, and it has a really unique and interesting plot. There are also some important themes about growing up and finding your place in the world.
A great beginner's alien fiction book is 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' by Jules Verne. It has strange prehistoric creatures that can be thought of as a form of alien life in the underground world. 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' by the same author also has the Nautilus and its captain Nemo, who could be considered an 'alien' in a sense. And 'The Invisible Man' by H.G. Wells, although not about traditional aliens, has a character with strange abilities that can be a start to understanding different forms of 'otherness' in fiction.
For a more light - hearted option, 'Space Case' by Stuart Gibbs is good for beginners. It's a mystery set on a moon base with a young protagonist. It's fun and easy to read.
The 'Star Wars' novelizations, such as those based on the original trilogy, are also good for beginners. They bring the well - known space - opera universe of Star Wars to life in written form, with all the exciting battles and iconic characters.
For beginners, 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry is wonderful. Its prose is accessible and full of deep, yet simple, wisdom. It tells a charming story about a little prince from another planet.
For beginners, 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger can be a good start. It has Holden Caulfield's rebellious nature and his views on society that are somewhat transgressive for its time. His disdain for the 'phony' world around him is a key aspect.
The 'Norse Mythology' book by Neil Gaiman is also great for beginners. Gaiman has a way of presenting the Norse myths in a simple yet captivating way. He brings the gods like Odin, Thor and Loki to life in a modern - feeling narrative that's easy to follow.