Welcome.
See, I don't know about German language, but I can assure you English is a very easy language to learn. Principally if you are a Latin-derived-language speaker--and I'm telling you this because my first language is Portuguese--, which is your case, once English grammar is a lot easier, fewer verbs to conjugate, etc.
Now, concerning to the German book, I'd indicate you The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, my first and--so far--unique experience with German literature. It's about the rising of a guy, filled with philosophical discussions he takes part surrounded by his diseased friends during a period of his life he leaves his studies and job behind and goes to a sanatorium in Davos, Switzerland. It may feel a little boring in the beginning, but it gets better when you realize what is behind all that non-sense talking those patients have. Also, the Davos landscapes are beautifully described throughout the narrative. Hope you like it.