Every once in awhile I see someone asking where they should even begin with Lovecraft's stories. Finally decided to throw this together.

Every time someone makes a Cthulhu Mythos post, I see a few people interested in Lovecraft's work asking where they should even begin reading. You'll get a different order out of every Lovecraft fan, but I guess an answer is better than none. Here's an order that I might give a friend asking the same question. It tries to be conscientious about mixing short & long, and about giving away surprises in other stories.

Just keep in mind, almost every modern horror writer lists Lovecraft as an influence, as an inspiration, or even references his works. Lovecraft could be considered the father of modern horror, so some of the spooky punchlines in his work are very played. What he does do--that no other writer has been able to accomplish to the same effect--is impart an overwhelmingly eerie (sometimes hopeless) air to each story, and to the world as a whole where his stories take place.

Also, I'm not a graphic designer. Sorry. Is some of that text brown? It sure is. How did that happen? No idea. Should I have fixed it? Yeah but it's Friday and time for a drink.