What are some good books with short stories for beginners?

'Chicken Soup for the Soul' series can also be great for beginners. It has a collection of short, heartwarming stories that are inspiring and easy to read. These stories cover a wide range of topics like friendship, love, and personal growth.

A good option for beginners is 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe. It gives a peek into the social and psychological aspects of a historical period. 'To Build a Fire' by Jack London is set in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, which is a significant historical event. And 'The Emperor's New Clothes' by Hans Christian Andersen, which is a satirical look at society in a historical context, is also very accessible for those new to historical fiction.

For beginners, 'The Awakening' by Kate Chopin is a great book. It tells the story of a woman who starts to break free from the constraints of society. As for short stories, 'Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti can be a good start. It has themes of female friendship and resistance.

'In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories' is also suitable. The stories are short and easy to read. They include things like witches, haunted rooms, and other classic horror elements. It helps introduce the basic concepts of horror in a digestible way. It's a great choice for those new to horror stories as it doesn't go into extreme gore or overly complex horror themes.

I'd recommend 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a short but very impactful story that can introduce beginners to the power of short stories. Also, 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It has a heartwarming and ironic plot that is characteristic of O. Henry's writing.

For beginners, 'Scary Stories for Young Foxes' by Christian McKay Heidicker is a great start. It has stories that are spooky enough to give a thrill but not overly terrifying. The stories are also well - written with interesting characters.

For beginners, 'The Sun and the Moon' in Hirgana reading is a good start. The Hirgana used in this story is not overly complicated. It has simple sentences that are easy to understand. Another option could be a story about a family's day. It uses Hirgana to describe typical family activities like eating breakfast, going to school or work. And the story of a friendly bird in Hirgana is also nice. It contains words related to nature and animals, which are often among the first things one learns in Hirgana.

Well, 'Neko to Inu' (Cat and Dog) is a really nice short story for those starting with hiragana reading. The story is short and sweet, with basic hiragana characters that are easy to recognize. It tells about the daily interactions between a cat and a dog in a simple way, which is great for building reading skills.

One great short English listening story for beginners is 'The Tortoise and the Hare'. It's simple and the moral is easy to understand. You can find many versions of it online with clear English pronunciation for listening practice.

A. A. Milne's 'The Wrong Sort of Bees' is a charming short fantasy story. It's simple and fun, with a touch of the unexpected which is common in fantasy. It has a light - hearted tone and is easy to follow. And 'The Fisherman and His Soul' by Oscar Wilde is also a great choice. It has elements of magic, love, and the struggle between good and evil in a relatively short and accessible format.