Definitely 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' by J.K. Rowling. It's a modern classic that has captured the hearts of millions. It has a wonderful magical world full of interesting characters like Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The story gradually unfolds the magic system and the plot is full of mystery and adventure, which is very appealing for those new to fantasy novels.
Another great option is 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll. It's a surreal and imaginative journey. Alice's experiences in Wonderland, from growing and shrinking to meeting strange creatures like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, are both bizarre and fascinating. It's a short but highly impactful fantasy read.
For a more epic - scale fantasy, 'The Sword of Shannara' by Terry Brooks could be a good start. It has elements of a classic hero's journey. The main character, Shea Ohmsford, has to go on a dangerous quest. The world is filled with magic, different races, and ancient prophecies. Although it's complex in some ways, it's still accessible for those starting to explore the fantasy genre.
For beginners, 'City of Bones' from The Mortal Instruments series is a good start. It has a mix of love, action, and a complex fantasy world full of demons and shadowhunters. Then there's 'Shiver' by Maggie Stiefvater. The love story between a girl and a werewolf in a cold, small town is really engaging. Also, 'The Hunger Games' has some elements of love and is set in a very imaginative post - apocalyptic fantasy world.
'The Lightning Thief' by Rick Riordan is also great for starting in fantasy. It combines Greek mythology with modern - day settings. Percy Jackson, a young boy, discovers he is a demigod and has to go on a quest. It's a fun and easy - to - follow story that will introduce you to the world of fantasy with a unique twist.
I'd recommend 'The Colour of Magic' as a great starting point. It introduces the unique and charming world of Discworld and sets the tone for the series.
For a beginner, 'Oliver Twist' is a good choice. It's got an engaging story and introduces you to Dickens' style of writing and social commentary. Plus, it's widely known and accessible.
Begin with an interesting character in a difficult situation. Say, a young wizard who wakes up one day to find his magic has vanished and he's in a land full of dark forces that he can no longer defend himself against. This hooks the reader as they want to know how the character will get out of the situation.
The quote 'We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.' This is impactful because it celebrates the uniqueness of individuals. In a love story, it can signify that the two people are about to embark on a journey of accepting each other's quirks and finding beauty in their shared 'weirdness'.
If you like a more bittersweet love story, start with 'Your Lie in April'. It has a very emotional and artistic take on love and relationships.
'As I Lay Dying' could be a great one to start with. It's relatively more accessible compared to some of his other works. The story is told from multiple perspectives as different characters are on a journey to bury Addie Bundren. It gives a good taste of Faulkner's ability to create diverse voices and his exploration of rural southern life and family relationships.
I would recommend starting with 'The Killing Floor'. It's the first in the series and gives a great introduction to Jack Reacher as a character. You get to see his no - nonsense attitude, his combat skills, and his knack for getting to the bottom of things right from the start.
Personally, 'The Wind - Up Bird Chronicle' is a great starting point. It has a complex yet engaging plot that draws you in. Murakami's exploration of themes like identity, history, and the human psyche in this novel is really fascinating. There are a lot of elements in it that will make you want to keep reading to figure out what's really going on. And it also showcases his ability to create a vivid and somewhat mysterious world.