A good one for beginners is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's not overly gory but still manages to be extremely creepy. The atmosphere in Hill House is so well - described that you can almost feel the cold and the sense of dread. It plays on psychological horror, with the characters' minds being affected by the house, which is a great introduction to the horror genre.
'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman is another excellent choice for those new to horror. While it's also a children's book, it has a dark and spooky side. The idea of an alternate world that seems wonderful at first but turns out to be full of danger is really interesting. The button - eyed characters are both fascinating and a bit terrifying, and it shows that horror can be found in the most unexpected places.
For beginners, 'NoSleep' is a good start. It has a wide range of horror stories from different authors, so you can get a taste of various horror sub - genres. Another option is 'Lore'. Since it's based on real - world folklore and history, it's not as extreme as some pure horror podcasts and can ease you into the world of horror stories.
A great choice is 'Charlotte's Web' by E.B. White. It's a classic children's novel but also suitable for beginner adult readers. The story of the friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider is heartwarming. The vocabulary is not overly complicated, and it can help new readers get used to reading for pleasure and understanding the basic elements of a story, like character development and plot.
For beginners, 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is a great start. It's a classic that shows the transformation of a man into a more primitive and violent version of himself, which is a basic concept in body horror. Another good one is 'The Hunger' by Whitley Strieber. It has elements of body horror as it deals with a strange illness that affects the characters in a very physical and disturbing way. And 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson has some body horror elements too, especially in the way the haunted house affects the bodies of those who enter it.
For beginners, 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne is a fun choice. It's a contemporary romance with a lot of banter between the two main characters, Lucy and Joshua. They start off hating each other at work but gradually realize there's more to their relationship. It's a light - hearted read with a sweet love story.
For beginners, 'The True Story of Ah Q' by Lu Xun is a good start. It's a relatively short and easy - to - understand novel. Lu Xun uses the character of Ah Q to satirize the weaknesses and vices of the Chinese people at that time, such as self - deception and the lack of self - awareness. Reading it can give you a quick taste of modern Chinese literature's critical spirit.
I think 'The Old Curiosity Shop' is a great option. It has a simple yet engaging plot about a young girl and her grandfather. Dickens' writing in this novel is very descriptive, and you can really feel the atmosphere of the old curiosity shop and the world around the characters. It's a good way to start exploring Dickens' works.
'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery can be considered a romantic novel in a way. While it's also about a young girl's growth and her relationships in general, the relationship between Anne and Gilbert is a beautiful slow - burn romance. The descriptions of Prince Edward Island add a charming backdrop to the story.
'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes. This novel is a great beginner's choice as it combines a beautiful love story with complex themes. The relationship between Louisa Clark and Will Traynor is both heart - warming and heart - breaking. It shows how love can grow in unexpected situations.
The novel 'Karnali Blues' can also be a good start. It's written in a way that is easy to follow and has elements that are relatable. It showcases the life in the Karnali region of Nepal, with its unique culture, challenges, and beauty.
Another good choice could be 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll. It is full of imagination and fantasy. The language, while having some unique and fun elements, is still accessible to those new to English reading. The strange and wonderful adventures of Alice can keep the reader interested from start to finish.