Beginners should know about different sub - genres within fantasy. There's high fantasy which often has an entirely new world like in 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. Then there's urban fantasy which is set in a modern, real - world city but with fantasy elements. Also, they need to be aware of the character archetypes such as the hero, the mentor, and the villain which are often present in fantasy novels.
One great option is 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's an accessible and exciting adventure with Bilbo Baggins going on a journey full of dwarves, dragons, and magic. Another is 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' by J.K. Rowling. It follows the story of a young boy who discovers he's a wizard and enters a magical world at Hogwarts. Also, 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle is a classic. It has a unique blend of science - fiction and fantasy elements as the main characters travel through different dimensions to save their father.
For beginners, 'Heartstopper' is a great start. It's very sweet and easy to understand. Then there's 'Given'. The music element makes it interesting. 'Love by Chance' is also suitable. It has a simple story that's easy to follow.
I would recommend 'The Graveyard Book' in graphic novel form. It has a unique premise of a boy being raised by ghosts in a graveyard. 'Zita the Spacegirl' is a fun space - adventure graphic novel that is easy to get into. And 'Lumberjanes' is a great one too, with its focus on friendship and strange happenings at a summer camp.
I would recommend 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich' for those new to Tolstoy. It's a novella that is easier to digest than his long novels like 'War and Peace'. In this work, Tolstoy explores the themes of death, the meaning of life, and the hollowness of a certain kind of bourgeois existence. Another option could be 'Family Happiness', which is also shorter and shows his exploration of relationships.
For beginners, 'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang is a great 2018 novel. It has a simple and engaging love story that is easy to follow. The characters are likeable, and it gives a good introduction to contemporary romance novels.
For beginners, 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a good start. It's a psychological horror that focuses on a group of people who stay in a supposedly haunted house. The horror is more about the psychological breakdowns of the characters and the eerie atmosphere of the house rather than blatant gore or jump scares.
For beginners, 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is a great start. It's a classic that shows the transformation of a man into a more primitive and violent version of himself, which is a basic concept in body horror. Another good one is 'The Hunger' by Whitley Strieber. It has elements of body horror as it deals with a strange illness that affects the characters in a very physical and disturbing way. And 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson has some body horror elements too, especially in the way the haunted house affects the bodies of those who enter it.
A great choice for beginners is 'My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected'. It has a relatable high - school setting and explores themes like friendship, loneliness, and growing up. The characters are interesting and the writing is easy to follow. Another one is 'Toradora!'. It's a romantic light novel with a cute story about two high - school students who initially dislike each other but end up falling in love.