What books and writers should someone that has no understanding of philosophy should read to start to understand it?
Philosophy is a fascinating topic that has been written about for centuries. Due to its timeless form of understanding, such knowledge has endured the test of time. Many famous philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates have produced literature on the subject, which is widely recognized to this day.

Here are some books to get you started with philosophy:

1. Five Dialogues - Plato

Five Dialogues is a natural beginning for many who are new to philosophy. It is written in the form of a play and covers a wide range of topics such as law, love, virtue, ethics, and the meaning of life.

Plato was a Greek philosopher during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. He founded the Academy in Athens, a philosophical school where he taught doctrines that would later be known as Platonism. He is a renowned philosopher and is widely recognized as the father of Western philosophy.

2. The Problems of Philosophy - Bertrand Russell

The Problems of Philosophy is a standard introductory text that is now identified with analytical philosophy. It focuses on questions surrounding metaphysics, language, and logic. As suggested by the book's title, the author discusses a recurring series of questions he believes plague philosophical debate and asserts that philosophy cannot answer these questions; rather, the value of philosophy lies elsewhere than in providing proof for these questions.

The book is written in a format that is intelligible and easy to understand, making it perfect for a beginner like yourself. It's widely recognized as an excellent starting point in philosophy and in gaining an early understanding of the subject.

Bertrand Russell is recognised as one of the greatest logicians since Aristotle and one of the most important philosophers of the past two hundred years.

3. Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder

Sophie's World is a 1991 novel written by Norwegian writer Jostein Gaarder. The novel follows Sophie Amundsen, a Norwegian teenager, who is introduced to philosophy through two notes that arrive in her mailbox. Sophie becomes obsessed with the posed questions and ventures far beyond her small Norwegian village to find answers. The book, being in the format of a novel, may be significantly more palatable for a beginner like yourself.

Jostein Gaarder is known for his bestsellers The Solitaire Mystery and Sophie's World. He taught high-school philosophy for several years before writing a collection of short stories in 1986, and soon after, he published a series of novels. He currently lives in Oslo, Norway, with his family.

Philosophy is a fascinating subject, and the nature of it means that each author brings their own interpretation of the world around us. These books should help you get started with philosophy and provide an insightful introduction.

Let me know if you have any other questions relating to philosophy, the books that I mentioned above, or their associated authors.