I would recommend 'Norwegian Wood' by Haruki Murakami. It has been widely translated and is quite popular. Murakami's writing style is accessible for Japanese learners. There are many modern Japanese expressions and cultural references in it that can be very educational.
For beginners, 'Yotsuba&!' is a good choice. It's a manga series that can be considered a 'novel in pictures'. The language used is simple and there are a lot of furigana (the small characters above kanji to show pronunciation), which is very helpful for those just starting to learn Japanese.
Some popular ones are 'Clannad'. It has a relatively easy - to - understand story and language for beginners. Another good option is 'Katawa Shoujo'. It contains a lot of daily - life - related dialogues.
Hakuoki is a great choice. It has a historical setting and the language used is not overly complex. The story is engaging, which makes it easier to stay motivated while learning. Another one is Katawa Shoujo. It's known for its well - written dialogue, which can be very helpful for language study. The themes in it are also relatable.
One of the best is 'Fullmetal Alchemist'. It has a complex and engaging story that delves deep into themes like sacrifice, redemption, and the search for truth. The characters are well - developed, and the world - building is excellent.
One great book is 'Genji Monogatari' (The Tale of Genji). It's a classic Japanese novel. Reading it can expose you to a wide range of vocabulary, different sentence structures, and cultural aspects. The language used in it, although a bit archaic, gives a deep understanding of the Japanese language's roots and how it has evolved over time. It also helps in getting a feel for the Japanese way of storytelling and the cultural nuances that are often embedded in the language.
The best resources for learning Japanese for light novels are quite diverse. Firstly, language learning software such as Rosetta Stone can be a good start, although it may not be specifically tailored for light novels. However, it gives a good general foundation. For a more targeted approach, there are light novel - specific study guides available online. These often focus on the vocabulary and grammar used in popular light novel genres. Another excellent resource is Japanese language podcasts. There are some that specifically discuss light novels, which can be a great way to improve your listening skills as well as pick up new words and phrases related to light novels.
Anime and manga are great resources. Since visual novels often share similar themes and language styles with them. You can pick up a lot of common phrases and vocabulary. Another good resource is Japanese language textbooks that focus on conversational Japanese, as the dialogues in visual novels are mostly in a conversational style.
'My Hero Academia' novels are also quite good. They expand on the world of heroes and villains that we see in the anime. With different storylines focusing on various characters' growth and development, it gives a deeper understanding of the 'My Hero Academia' universe.