Norwegian Wood was the first book I read, and I actually finished the first part before I started reading DragonBall.
At the time I had just added 2000 words in Anki, and I was attempting N5 (but could definitely pass N4).
Indeed I agree there are easier books, so if you find it too difficult just drop it and try another one.
Talking about DragonBall, I found very easy, the first part in particular.
You just have to skip the hard parts, but I do this even today.
Maybe I just didn't know easier materials so I made do with the stuff I had...
Anyway I really enjoyed them, and they gave me very good bases.
So I think it's more like 'find something to read that you enjoy, you'll be fine'.
At the time I had just added 2000 words in Anki, and I was attempting N5 (but could definitely pass N4).
Indeed I agree there are easier books, so if you find it too difficult just drop it and try another one.
Talking about DragonBall, I found very easy, the first part in particular.
You just have to skip the hard parts, but I do this even today.
Maybe I just didn't know easier materials so I made do with the stuff I had...
Anyway I really enjoyed them, and they gave me very good bases.
So I think it's more like 'find something to read that you enjoy, you'll be fine'.