Start by learning basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary. Then, look for novels with simple language and gradually progress to more complex ones. Reading aloud can also help improve pronunciation and comprehension.
Well, to read a class novel in Spanish class successfully, you need to preview before class. During class, pay attention to the teacher's analysis and take notes. After class, review and summarize what you've learned.
Gabriel García Márquez's 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' is also a great piece of Spanish fiction. It tells the multi - generational story of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo, filled with magic realism elements like flying carpets and characters who live for a very long time.
One benefit is improved pronunciation. By listening and reading along, you can mimic the correct sounds. Also, it helps with vocabulary building as you encounter new words in context. And it can enhance your comprehension skills.
Some are free. For example, on Project Gutenberg, as I mentioned before, many classic Spanish novels are free because they are out of copyright. You can just download them and start reading.
One great Spanish Civil War novel is 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Ernest Hemingway. It vividly depicts the chaos and brutality of the war through the story of an American volunteer. Another is 'Homage to Catalonia' by George Orwell, which offers a personal account of his experiences in the war.