A good beginner - friendly option is 'Riders of the Purple Sage' by Zane Grey. It was one of the most popular Western novels when it was first published and still holds up today. It has all the elements of a great Texas Western - cowboys, outlaws, and a beautiful Texas - like landscape.
I'd recommend 'The Sisters Brothers' by Patrick deWitt. It's a great starting point for those new to humorous western novels. It has a really engaging and funny plot. The two main characters, Eli and Charlie Sisters, are assassins on a job in the Old West. Their bickering and different personalities make for a lot of humorous moments. It's also written in a very accessible style that won't be too difficult for a beginner to get into.
One of the best Texas Western novels is 'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry. It's a sweeping epic that follows the lives of Texas Rangers on a cattle drive. The characters are vividly drawn, and the story gives a great sense of the Texas frontier.
One popular 'texas splendor western romance novel' could be 'Lone Star Love'. It tells the story of a cowboy and a rancher's daughter. Their love blossoms against the backdrop of the beautiful Texas landscape, filled with horse rides and sunsets.
Another good option is 'Ride the Wind' by Lucia St. Clair Robson. It tells the story of a Comanche woman in the context of the Western frontier. There are elements of love and fate that tie in well with the idea of Texas destiny western romance.
The original 'Dune' is a must - read for beginners. It has a captivating story that draws you into the world of 'Dune'. You'll learn about the different factions, like the Harkonnens and the Fremen. It also has a lot of action and adventure. If you want more background, 'Dune: House Harkonnen' could be a good choice too. It gives more details about the antagonists, which enriches the overall understanding of the 'Dune' universe.
For a beginner, 'Gigi' is a great choice. It's easy to read and has a really engaging story. You'll get a taste of Colette's writing style and her ability to create interesting characters and settings.
Another good one for beginners is 'Dune Messiah'. It's not as overwhelming as some of the later books in terms of complexity. It gives a good continuation of the story started in 'Dune' and helps you understand the characters better.
You could also check out 'Deathwatch: First Founding'. It provides a bit of background on the Deathwatch's origins, which can be really helpful for someone new to these novels.
I'd recommend 'Rabbit, Run'. It's a good starting point as it's very engaging. The story of Rabbit's escapades and his search for something more in life is easy to follow and gives a great sense of Updike's writing style.
Sure. 'Relics' is a good start. It's relatively easy to follow and gives a good sense of Picard's character. The story isn't overly complicated and it has some really cool moments with the discovery of an ancient object.