Debut Novel

All great fiction writers start with a first novel - the seed of a flourishing literary career. Read and enjoy! Plant a seed, read!

Updated June 16, 2026
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Things fall apart
Achebe, Chinua.
Paper Book
"A true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world." --Barack Obama "African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe." --Toni Morrison "A...
The Martian chronicles
Bradbury, Ray
Paper Book
Leaving behind a world on the brink of destruction, man came to the Red planet and found the Martians waiting, dreamlike. Seeking the promise of a new beginning, man brought with him his oldest fears and his deepest desires. Man conquered Mars—and in that instant, Mars conquered him. The...
The Eyre affair : a novel
Fforde, Jasper.
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *The first novel in the renowned Thursday Next series, which "combines elements of Monty Python, Harry Potter, Stephen Hawking, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (The Wall Street Journal). "A literary wonderland [that] recalls Douglas...
Neuromancer
Gibson, William
Paper Book
Winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick Awards, Neuromancer is a science fiction masterpiece--a classic that ranks as one of the twentieth century's most potent visions of the future. Case was the sharpest data-thief in the matrix--until he crossed the wrong people...
Catch-22
Heller, Joseph.
Paper Book
This fiftieth-anniversary edition commemorates Joseph Heller's masterpiece with a new introduction; critical essays and reviews by Norman Mailer, Alfred Kazin, Anthony Burgess, and others; rare papers and photos; and much more. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels...
Big Chief
Hickey, Jon
Paper Book
Strangers on a train
Highsmith, Patricia
Paper Book
"Strangers on a Train has lost none of its power to disturb...We will likely be reading Patricia Highsmith for the next one hundred years." --Paula Hawkins Just in time for the centennial celebration of groundbreaking noir fiction writer Patricia Highsmith comes a reissue...
The outsiders
Hinton, S. E.
Paper Book
THE ICONIC INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER WITH OVER 25 MILLION COPIES SOLD * The inspiration for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical! A heroic coming-of-age novel revolving around friendship, belonging, and brotherhood that has touched the hearts of readers for generations. "...
The names
Knapp, Florence
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND READ WITH JENNA PICK--A WORD-OF-MOUTH HIT THAT BEGS TO BE SHARED LONGLISTED FOR THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL "Dazzling." --The Washington Post "A magnificent novel." --Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer...
The god of small things
Roy, Arundhati
Paper Book
Set against a background of political turbulence in Kerala, this is the story of twins Esthappen and Rahel who try to craft a childhood for themselves amongst the vats of banana jam and heaps of peppercorns in their grandmother's factory.
The sparrow
Russell, Mary Doria
Paper Book
A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial...
The catcher in the rye
Salinger, J. D.
Paper Book
The "brilliant, funny, meaningful novel" (The New Yorker) that established J. D. Salinger as a leading voice in American literature--and that has instilled in millions of readers around the world a lifelong love of books.     "If you...
The help
Stockett, Kathryn.
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times bestselling novel and basis for the Academy Award-winning film--a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't--nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read. Aibileen is a...
The secret history
Tartt, Donna
Paper Book
ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST MYSTERY AND THRILLER BOOKS OF ALL TIME * INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER * A contemporary literary classic and "an accomplished psychological thriller ... absolutely chilling" (Village Voice), from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Goldfinch. ...
Maisie Dobbs : a novel [kit]
Winspear, Jacqueline
Paper Book
Hailed by NPR's Fresh Air as part Testament of Youth, part Dorothy Sayers, and part Upstairs, Downstairs, this astonishing debut has already won fans from coast to coast and is poised to add Maisie Dobbs to the ranks of literature's favorite sleuths. Maisie Dobbs isn't just any...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.