A good option for beginners is 'The Sign of the Four' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It has elements of historical London and an exciting mystery. 'Black Beauty' is also easy to read and it shows the life of horses in 19th - century England. And 'Robinson Crusoe' which is about a man's survival on an island in the 17th century can be a good start for those new to historical fiction.
A simple yet engaging historical fiction book is 'Johnny Tremain' by Esther Forbes. It takes place during the American Revolution and follows the journey of a young apprentice. It's a good way to learn about the events and spirit of that era.
One must - read historical fiction novel is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly portrays Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another great one is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen which gives insights into the English upper - class life in the 19th century. Also, 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a brilliant historical mystery set in a medieval monastery.
For beginners, 'The Girl on the Train' is a good start. It has a simple yet engaging plot that's easy to follow. The mystery aspect makes it exciting. It's about a woman who commutes by train and becomes involved in a mystery surrounding a missing person she sees from the train window.
One of the must-reads was 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It beautifully captured the atmosphere of the time and had complex, engaging characters.
For beginners, 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is a great start. It's set during World War II and told from the perspective of Death. It has a unique narrative style and is not too difficult to read while still being deeply engaging and full of historical details.
Some well - known ones could be 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid picture of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which shows the social life and marriage market in early 19th - century England.
A good beginner - friendly historical fiction book is 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Although it's more of a children's story, it has historical elements and is set in England. 'Black Beauty' by Anna Sewell is another one. It's about the life of a horse in 19th - century England and gives insights into that era. And 'Call of the Wild' by Jack London, set during the Klondike Gold Rush, is an engaging read for those new to historical fiction.
Beginners should check out 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne Jones. It has a really interesting premise with a moving castle and a young girl who gets caught up in a magical adventure. The story is full of charm and humor. 'The Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum is also a great starting point. It's a well - known and beloved fantasy with a simple but engaging story of a girl's journey in a magical land. And 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman is a beautiful fantasy story with a touch of romance and adventure.
A great beginner - friendly Christian fiction book is 'Heaven is for Real' by Todd Burpo. It tells the story of a young boy's visit to heaven. 'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren is also a good choice. Although it's more of a self - help with a Christian slant, it has fictional elements in its illustrations. And 'Mere Christianity' by C.S. Lewis can be considered, as it simplifies complex Christian concepts in an accessible way.
I'd recommend 'Manvini Bhavai' for beginners. It has a simple narrative style and is full of cultural elements. Another option could be 'Akhand Anand' as it has an engaging plot and is relatively easy to follow for those new to Gujarati novels.