For a newbie, 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank is a great start. It's a real - life account of a young girl hiding from the Nazis during the war, which gives a very personal view of the horror. 'Goodnight Mister Tom' is also a good one. It shows how a boy's life changes during the war when he is evacuated from London. And 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' is another accessible novel that tells the story of a family fleeing Nazi Germany.
I'd also suggest 'Down These Mean Streets'. It's a classic that has been around for a long time. The way it portrays the character's journey through a difficult urban landscape and his struggle with identity is really well - done. It's not just about the cholo experience directly, but it has a lot of elements that are relevant, like the importance of community and the challenges of growing up in a marginalized environment.
If you're new to this genre, you could start with 'Bared to You' by Sylvia Day. It has a good balance of romance and erotic content. The story follows the relationship between two complex characters, and the sexual tension between them is well - written.
Another good one is 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'. It's told from a child's perspective, which makes it easier to understand for those new to the genre. It shows the innocence in the face of the great evil of the Holocaust in a very touching way.
Definitely 'The Boys' web fiction (the original version). It gives a different view of superheroes, not the typical all - good and heroic image. It's a great introduction to the idea that superheroes can have flaws and darker sides too, which can be really interesting for someone new to the genre.
One of the best is 'The Winds of War' by Herman Wouk. It vividly portrays the events leading up to and during World War II through the eyes of a military family. Another great one is 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller. It uses dark humor to show the absurdity of war. And 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut is also a notable novel, with its unique take on the war and time - travel elements.
One great ww2 alternate history novel is 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris. It presents a world where the Nazis won the war. Another is 'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick. This one imagines an America occupied by the Japanese and the Nazis after the war. Also, 'SS - GB' by Len Deighton is a good read, showing a Britain under Nazi control.
'Resistance' by Owen Sheers is also a great choice for beginners. It's about a group of women in a Welsh valley who resist the German occupation. The story is engaging and not overly complex, which makes it accessible for those new to WW2 alt history novels.
Sure. 'Regeneration' by Pat Barker is excellent. It focuses on the psychological effects of war on soldiers and is set in a military hospital. Barker does a great job of exploring the trauma and the attempts at recovery.
Sure. 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead can be seen as an alternative history. It reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad underground. 'The Book of Phoenix' by Nnedi Okorafor is also a great one. It has a unique take on history and power. Another is 'Red Clocks' by Leni Zumas, which presents a world with restricted reproductive rights as an alternative future.
Another great one for the European theater is 'Schindler's Ark'. It focuses on the Holocaust in Europe and how one man, Oskar Schindler, made a difference. It's a story of hope and humanity in the face of the most extreme inhumane situation during WW2 in Europe.