Terry Pratchett books - in what order should I read them?

[Cyranosbestie]

If you have read Terry Pratchett's books and could read them again afresh from the start, which order would you read them in?

Not chronologically! The first one is a bit rubbish ( imho) and I read somewhere he wrote it as a piss take of the genre.
That said... try Mort, or Guards!Guards! maybe.

I was put off by the covers for years, but I think they are the only books I’ve ever read that are intelligent , yet an easy read.

Definitely not chronologically! Agree with ohyes colour of magic, actually put me off, would go with Mort, Guards, Guards, or Witches Abroad I think. (🐢🌍)

I'm trying to get DD into Discworld but she's not liking the Colour of Magic much! Will try these suggestions.

I came across this and thought it was good - grouped according to what characters you want to keep up with.

Agree that The Colour of Magic is not the place to start (though I found it hilarious when I first read it in the late 80s). Started DS2 with Guards Guards, followed by Men At Arms, Equal Rites, and now we're reading Mort.

Beamur depending on your DD's age, she might like the Tiffany Aching books.

Really useful list Rathmobhaile.

As others have said Mort and Guards, Guards are both great places to start, I would also add Equal Rites to that as well and also Wyrd Sisters (although thinking about it, I would probably suggest a newcomer start with Wyrd Sisters rather than Equal Rites).

Some of the books are almost like a mini-series within the whole thing and, if you find those particular characters engaging then it may well be worthwhile reading all those in order.

For example, if you started with Guards, Guards and wanted to follow those characters then the next books to read would be:-

Guards, Guards
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
Jingo
The Fifth Elephant
Night Watch
Thud
Snuff

Or if you started with Equal Rites or Wyrd Sisters then the books following these characters are:-

Equal Rites
Wyrd Sisters
Witches Abroad
Lords and Ladies
Maskerade
Carpe Jugulum

If you enjoyed Mort and wanted to follow these characters then the next books would be:-

Mort
Reaper Man
Soul Music
Hogfather
Thief of Time

Once you've got a feel for the world from some of these books then I would also suggest the couple of books featuring a character by the name of Moist von Lipwig:-

Going Postal
Making Money

There are also a number of stand alone books that it does help if you have read some of the above first. I particularly enjoyed:-

Moving Pictures
Pyramids
The Truth

Only then would I suggest going back to the original books that started it all. In order they are:-

The Colour of Magic
The Light Fantastic
Sourcery
Eric
Interesting Times
The Last Continent
Unseen Academicals
The Last Hero

Then for younger readers I would also recommend starting with the series that he did specifically for younger readers set in the same world:-

The Wee Free Men
A Hat Full of Sky
Wintersmith
I Shall Wear Midnight
The Shepherd's Crown

I would recommend the Witches series and the Tiffany Aching series to start with. But then I am biased because Granny Weatherwax is my favourite character ever as she reminds me of my Nan so very much!

I was going to comment but I think its all been covered. Crivens!!!!

That's a crivens from me to plus applause to nickymanchester for her cracking lists. There's also the Bromeliad, three kids' books written before the Tiffany Aching books but not in the Discworld and Nation, also a kids' book not in Discworld. I feel some re-reading coming on

*too 🤦‍♀️

DD is 14 but I don't want her to start with the Tiffany Aching books despite them being probably perfect as I want her to get to know Granny Weatherwax first!
She wasn't wowed by the Bromeliad but I think she will love the Witches and the Guards.

Dd was in hysterics reading about 'Smaller than Medium sized Jock but bigger than wee Jock Jock'. It's going to be one if my favourite memories reading the Tiffany books with her and I'm so hoping she adopts the whole Pratchett thing.

I'd do it chona...kron...in date order, but I would be aware that the first few could have been better. Even Mr Pratchett said he forgot about a plot in the first one. Might even skip the first 2 and watch the Sky adaptation instead.

This is a useful graphic how they fit together

I'd go with the story arc idea, though for the witches I'd start at Witches Abroad (much as I adore Equal Rites).

Sausage inna bun anyone?

Wow! Fantastic advice from all of you, thank you so much! There are so many books it's hard to know where to start, but you've really helped me, thanks!

Can't believe no one has mentioned Truckers!!!

That was my first. My mother had the whole collection of pratchett books as she was a big fan :)

I got this from another similar thread:
d15fwz9jg1iq5f.cloudfront.net/uploads/blog/Discworld_ReadingGuide_Infographic_EpicReads.jpg

(link to thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/4194660-terry-pratchett-virgin-here-where-do-i-start)

and decided to start on the Witches series. Am only just into the second one at the moment though,

I was a huge Pratchett fan, read and loved them all and yet can’t remember a lot. I loved Small Gods and Mort. Anything with Death really.

I’m slowly indoctrinating DS - we started with Maurice - the bit with the cascara made him cry laughing. Now we’re onto Wee Free Men and he’s loving that too - although my accent needs some work.

Don't forget Good Omens as well