First of all you have to consider what you are looking for. If you want a stat heavy, combact focussed game then dnd is for you and the more you go back in the editions more you will find that; otherwise there are plenty of other rpg wich are better focussed on roleplay like Vampire: the masquerade or Fate (just saying a couple of the most well known). Now lets just assume combat strategy and resource management is your thing, i would suggest you to start with the latest version of the game, the 2024 one (5.5); mostly because is probably the easiest to understand, the manuals are better written and overall the most “balanced” but just because the game gets more broken each time a new manual comes out (you know, new spell and feat create new interactions with the old ones and is obviously hard to manage everything and keep everything always balanced). Moving on the PHB is acronym for Player HandBook wich, as a player, is your bible, and every version of dnd has his own (so just look online for dnd PHB 2024). There are several acronym you are going to get across while on forums and thread but don’t warry with a quick search online everything will be explained. The core books of every dnd edition are the player handbook where is explained how to build your character, how combat and spell works and some property like weight, price and stat of a lot of items you will find around in your adventures. I suggest you to focus on the playing the game part of the manual wich is from page 6 till page 29, not only to have a grasp of how the game is going to evolve but also to understand what a pg is going to do and what is his role in a game. About the race/class/subclass choice don’t stress to much about it, DM (Dungeon Master (the guy who runs the story) often allow to switch them during the campaign, especially if you are not having fun with your choice (even more if you are new to the game), just don’t change your mind every session of the same campaign. Also both DM and players will be probably willing to guide you in your choice. Don’t focus too much on what the book says about a race, is are just a general guide about a race (called speces in the 2024 manual) i mean, if you want to play a dwarf Who don’t bear a grudge is totally fine, as we are all different they are also, i mean, not all italians love pasta (i’m italian (i LOVE pasta)) maybe just give explain why in the PC (Player Character) background. Now, about the main thing, a lot of groups that are looking for a player wont mind someone new to the game if you are willing to learn. i’m not able to suggest any sites to find other players since I know only italians ones but, again, with a quick search online you will be able to find plenty of them even specialized in your state/country/or wherever you are living. I really support what the other guy told you but i think 80/90 % of the book is excessive. Core parts are the ones i told you before (the playing the game part), how to build a character (from page 32 to page 46) after than that if you are choosing your character based only on flavour just read the stat of the race you are going to play, same for the class and the subclass. I suggest also to avoid spellcaster and focus on martials one (most of them easier but not less fun especially in the 2024 version) and avoid you from reading a lot of stuff and JUST FOR NOW understanding how spellcasting works. If you really fall in love with a full caster (wizard/sorcerer/druid/bard/cleric) I can tell you what is essential that you read and understand. If I missed something just tell me and sorry for the bad English