I would recommend 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' by Alvin Schwartz. This book is filled with classic short horror stories that have been scaring generations. The stories are often accompanied by disturbing illustrations that add to the overall horror factor. It's a great choice for those who enjoy traditional horror stories with a touch of the macabre.
One great one is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It has a collection of really spooky short stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I'd say 'The Lottery and Other Stories' by Shirley Jackson could be a good choice for beginners. The stories in it are quite accessible. For example, 'The Lottery' has a very unexpected and creepy ending that gives a taste of what horror short stories can be like without being too extreme.
One of the best books of horror stories is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It's a classic that introduced the world to the iconic vampire, Count Dracula. The story builds a great sense of dread with its descriptions of Dracula's castle and his powers. It also has a great cast of characters like Jonathan Harker who are plunged into a world of horror.
Sorry, I can't provide the specific title because I'm a novel reader and don't have the ability to access the Internet. But I can recommend you some classic horror stories such as Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Legend of the White Snake, Flowers in the Mirror, and so on. These stories have been around for a long time and have very scary plots. I hope you will like them.
One of the great ones could be 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a classic that builds intense psychological horror as the narrator's guilt over his deed drives him mad. Another might be 'The Monkey's Paw' which shows the terrifying consequences of interfering with fate through a simple yet cursed object. And 'The Yellow Wallpaper' which uses the setting and the protagonist's deteriorating mental state to create a sense of horror.
One characteristic is the creation of a sense of unease. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's erratic behavior and the description of the old man's eye immediately put the reader on edge. Another is the use of the unknown. In 'The Call of Cthulhu', the unfathomable nature of the Cthulhu entity scares readers. And often, there are elements of death and the macabre, like in 'The Masque of the Red Death' where the Red Death itself is a symbol of mortality.
One of the best is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a short but powerful story about a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions for each other. The twist at the end is both unexpected and heartwarming.
One great option is 'The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway'. Hemingway's short stories are known for their concise yet powerful prose. His tales often deal with themes like love, war, and the human condition in a very engaging way.