State and Revolution is 100% an important piece too read, and as long as you read carefully (read sections over to make sure you understand) it's not too hard either! Then if you want to dive into Marx I cannot stress enough how helpful it is to first study dialectics, read Mao's On Contradiction, read Stalin's Dialectical and Historical Materialism or any other credible account on the subject. Dialectics in particular will prepare you the best for marx because EVERYTHING he writes is through this lens. Most importantly though is to broaden your horizons, read PoC authors, read female authors, read a diverse range because otherwise you run into (despite how well meaning you are) the risk of developing western chauvinist views.
State and Revolution is 100% an important piece too read, and as long as you read carefully (read sections over to make sure you understand) it's not too hard either! Then if you want to dive into Marx I cannot stress enough how helpful it is to first study dialectics, read Mao's On Contradiction, read Stalin's Dialectical and Historical Materialism or any other credible account on the subject. Dialectics in particular will prepare you the best for marx because EVERYTHING he writes is through this lens. Most importantly though is to broaden your horizons, read PoC authors, read female authors, read a diverse range because otherwise you run into (despite how well meaning you are) the risk of developing western chauvinist views.
This was kinda lengthy but I hope it helps