Sure. 'The Shining' by Stephen King is a great start. It has a simple yet very effective horror concept of a haunted hotel. The characters are well - developed and the sense of isolation and dread is palpable. Another good one is 'Pet Sematary'. It's easy to get into and the idea of the dead coming back wrong is really spooky. 'Fright Night' is also good for newbies as it has a modern - day vampire story that's not too complex but still really scary.
Then there's 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks. It's a disturbing and often overlooked horror novel. The story is about a young man with some very strange and violent tendencies, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
You could also try 'A Christmas Horror Story' by various authors. It contains a collection of short horror stories all centered around Christmas. This gives you a variety of different horror styles and themes within the Christmas context, allowing you to explore what you like in horror without being too overwhelmed by a long, single - story narrative.
For a horror newbie, I'd recommend 'Carrie' by Stephen King. It's one of his earlier works and it has a relatable protagonist in Carrie, and the story of her telekinetic revenge is both sad and scary. 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H. P. Lovecraft is also great. It's a short story that introduces the Lovecraftian horror elements, like the incomprehensible and ancient evils. And 'Bird Box' by Josh Malerman, which has a unique concept of a world where seeing something can kill you.
For a horror newbie, I'd recommend 'The Slenderman Tapes'. It's not too overly complex or gory. It gives a good introduction to the Slenderman concept with some spooky moments like strange noises in the background and sightings of the faceless figure in the distance.
Sure. 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill is a great start. It has a simple yet spooky story about a haunted house and a vengeful ghost. It's not overly complex but still manages to be really creepy. Another good one is 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. The idea of a place where dead things come back to life, but not in a normal way, is really weird. It's a classic King story with his signature style of horror.
The story of the haunted mirror is also suitable. In this story, Mr. Nightmare explains how people see strange reflections in the mirror that are not their own. It's a story that plays on our fear of the unknown and the idea that there could be something else looking back at us from the other side of the glass. It's not too extreme for a newbie but still has enough horror elements.
Sure. 'Annihilation' is a great start. It's easy to get into and has a really interesting concept of Area X. The way the environment and the creatures are described gives a strong sense of cosmic horror. Another good one is 'The Fisherman'. It has a slow - build dread and the story is very engaging. You'll be drawn into the mystery of the fishing trip that goes horribly wrong. And 'The Ballad of Black Tom' is also good for newbies as it has a different take on the typical cosmic horror, with a focus on social issues as well as the supernatural.
For a horror newbie, I'd recommend 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's a psychological horror that builds tension really well. Then there's 'Rosemary's Baby' which is about a woman's pregnancy with a devil - like child. It's very suspenseful. Also, 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch, which was made into a famous movie, is a great read with its shocking twists.
Another great choice is 'The Mysterious Footsteps'. This story is perfect for newbies as it has a simple yet effective plot. It follows a person who hears strange footsteps in their house when they are alone at night. The way the story unfolds on Spotify with the sound effects makes it really engaging.
There are many great horror novels. 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski is a unique one. It has a complex structure and tells a story of a house that is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside and the horrors within. 'The Girl Next Door' by Jack Ketchum is a disturbing horror novel. It's based on a true - crime case and is very graphic in its horror. And 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King, while not strictly a pure horror series, has many horror elements and is a great read for horror fans.