While I did play some Phoenix Wright and 999 on DS when they came out, I wouldn't really call that a "true" VN.
I really started VNs 2 years ago, starting with Katawa Shoujo (Gasp, totally a surprise here) and I've been hooked since. I recently just finished Umineko (Original and Chiru), and am looking for a new recommendation. I did start FH/A, but some people said it wasn't really worth the read, so its been on hold.