こそあど: things and places
これ, それ, and あれ depend on distance and conversational context. Also distinguish forms that stand alone from forms that must precede a noun.
Point to a visible object
In a basic face-to-face situation, これ points near the speaker, それ near the listener, and あれ away from both. The same object can be これ or それ depending on who is speaking.
これ, それ, and あれ can stand without another noun, as in これは何ですか。 ('What is this?'). どれですか。 asks which item. Identify the set of possible choices from the situation.
Forms before nouns and for places
Before a noun, use この本, その本, あの本, or どの本. Avoid これ本 and このです. Distinguish standalone これ ('this one') from この ('this ...'), which requires a following noun.
For places, use ここ, そこ, あそこ, and どこ. 受付はどこですか。 asks where reception is. Learn the actual forms in each series, including the contrast between object あれ and place あそこ.
Refer back in conversation
You can refer back with その本 to a book the other person has just introduced, even if it is not visible. Here the そ form follows information in the conversation rather than simply measuring physical distance.
あの映画 can refer to a movie both people remember. If it is unclear which item the listener knows, clarify the title or place instead of relying on a demonstrative alone.
Check: Is 'this book' これ本 or この本?
Show the answer and why
Use この本. この precedes a noun; これ stands alone to mean 'this one.'