welcome and may you have a good time.
there is of course the mentors program.
If i were to give some recommendations of novels that are translated these would be it.
Most of these would also be good as for starters except for the Muv Luv series as the first two really are not that great.
Fate/stay night is a must play. It is nothing like the anime thing that carries its name. (well we do now in the unlimited blade works adaption)
And we just have a new patch that has translated the realta nua version of the game. (wich is an all ages game so it does away with the H stuff and replaces it by something else)
http://vndb.org/v11
Tsukihime Another must play, and no this one does not have a anime adaption.
http://vndb.org/v7 (it is ancient, got no voice and no music. But it is so good)
Muv Luv series, now Muv Luv extra is not that good and Unlimited is merely good but alternative is definitly a must read and to understand it completely you need to have read these two first.
(I so hope muv luv alternative get's an anime adaption at some point)
http://vndb.org/v93 (extra/unlimited) yes they are packed into one game
http://vndb.org/v92 (alternative)
g senjou maou Is also a must read.
http://vndb.org/v211
clannad is also a must read and is together with fate/stay night one of the vn flagships, muv luv can possible also be considered a flagship.
http://vndb.org/v4
Other than that there is Grisaia no Kajitsu wich is also a must read. (By the way, no panty shots in this one, just sex jokes by amane instead)
http://vndb.org/v5154.
As for a few good anime: (just me rambling on)
Aria the animation:
http://myanimelist.n...a_the_Animation
Crest of the stars:
http://myanimelist.net/anime/290.