Quite fancy starting to read Terry Pratchett but not sure which one to start with . . .

[BalloonSlayer]

any ideas?

Probably the first witches one. I started with Wyrd Sisters, although Equal Rites is the first one in the witches series.

I would echo that - the witches are very accessible and contain some of his best writing. I'd probably go for Wyrd Sisters over Equal Rites, as he doesn't really get going until WS.

To quote Lewis Carroll, my advice would be "Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end" :)

The Colour of Magic is the first in the discworld series. But to be honest, it won't matter too much, other than you might miss some running jokes.

I'm a big fan, and have pretty much everything he's written.

Another vote for Wyrd Sisters but tbh just go to the book shop/library and pick the one that you like the look of. It really doesn't matter which order you read them in although once you have them all you probably will want to read them in the right order

Skip The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic - they aren't as interesting or creative as the later stuff and would be more likely to put you off and prevent you from discovering the delights of the later stuff. The best ones are the run from Mort to Lords and Ladies - though Equal Rites is certainly better than the first two he's not quite in his stride yet.

You could also try the Tiffany Aching series - start with Wee Free Men. They are young adult books, but sort of encapsulate TPs story telling.

Doesn't matter where you start, really. I love the City Watch ones; Sam Vimes is a wonderful character. May I also recommend Reaper Man, in which you can read about me?

Wyrd Sisters.

The best stand alone book in the series is Small Gods imo.

start with Mort, its what got me started 16 years ago
they are amazing but once you start you won't be able to stop

I read Equal Rites first (I was 12), I didn't realise it was part of a series, but it read fine as a stand-alone and I was hooked from then on!

I think starting with The Colour of Magic then read them all in order. Kinda gives a foundation. I have read them all and would say don't be tempted at all by the new stuff with Steven Baxter cos it is pants. If I had to choose a favourite it would be Lords and Ladies

Oooh, imagine having all the TPs in front of you unread. Bliss

I'd start with the Wee Free Men as a nice intro too

I agree with Brienne, skip those two, start anywhere else. You can go back to them later.

I think the first one I read - at my brother's urging, I had been resistant for years - was Sourcery, or it might have been Masquerade. Though Sam Vimes is my favourite character, I think you should save him until you've been in DiscWorld for a little while.

The witches ones!

I second Mort, as a great starter, or Feet of Clay, or ANY of the books about the Witches... but to be fair, whichever you choose is going to have you hooked (except maybe The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic...I would say leave these until you're well acquainted).

Can I also say, leave 'The World of Poo' well alone. I was so disappointed. The Tiffany Aching series is ace and actually so is The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents.

How bloody exciting, please come back and let us know what you chose and what you thought.

I completely agree about the first two. I didn't like them but the rest are fantastic and work fine as stand alones - but the development of Sam V would be better followed chronologically I think. He and the Witches are my favourites so,anything with them.

Sadly I think the more recent ones are slipping a bit but I have no criticisms of the middle ones. I think he is right to be pissed off he isn't accorded more recognition, he is an excellent writer.

Wyrd Sisters or Guards Guards.

I read, 'The Colour Of Magic' first and hated it so much I didn't try another for ages. Then somebody lent me, 'The Hogfather' and that got me hooked. I don't much like the Witches ones tbh - I'd say start with the first Sam Vimes one - somebody will remember what it's called on here but it escapes me right now. Is it Guards, Guards?

Oh lucky you! I started with Going Postal but I'd go with an earlier one as others have said. I like the police ones the best but they're all good.

am I wrong to have started to read that's not my cow - picture book to my DT? I wanted to start them early, they are 3

Neil gainman wrote a children's book called chu I think, anyone read that?

I have told my dh he has to read good omens at some point or I will disown him

I hate fantasy novels but love the police novels with sam vimes. Guards guards is a great one. Really great

I quite like The Colour of Magic & The Light Fantastic, if only for The Luggage!

Another vote for wyrd sisters, we read it as our book club novel one month. It was my first intro to TP, and I was hooked!!

My favourite is Mort

Or Carpe Jugglum

The Wintersmith is good as well

The Hogfather is brilliant

Ah, just close your eyes and randomly pick one

Guards! Guards! is a good start, but I like the Sam Vimes books best so am biased. The Colour of Magic in the first Discworld book but IMHO is virtually unreadable - I saw TP interviewed on telly once and even he said that after he wrote it he discovered the Joy of Plot.

I have been reading That's Not My Cow since he was 2 .

The Tiffany Aching books are really quite charming, as was Nation.