I get this question a lot.

“Would you recommend Henle or Lingua Latina for new students? “

Here is my reply:

If you have the time, I recommend everything.  Visual Latin, First Year Latin by Robert Henle, and Lingua Latina.  The more you study, the more you learn.  Of course, not everyone has the time or energy to do this.

If I had to recommend only one book, it would be Lingua Latina.  Toughest Latin book on the planet, in my opinion.  But, so worth it.  Many students have to read it several times to master it, but, believe me.  It is worth the struggle.