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Quick answer: Start with Guards! Guards! (1989) for the City Watch, Mort (1987) for Death or Wyrd Sisters (1988) for the witches. Discworld is a series of loosely connected sub-series, so you do not need to begin with The Colour of Magic. Good Omens (1990) is a stand-alone co-written with Neil Gaiman.
Quick facts
Best City Watch start: Guards! Guards! (1989)
Best Death start: Mort (1987)
Best witches start: Wyrd Sisters (1988)
Best YA start: The Wee Free Men (2003), the first Tiffany Aching book
Discworld has 41 novels; the first is The Colour of Magic (1983)
Sir Terry Pratchett wrote forty-one Discworld novels, a comic fantasy series set on a flat world carried on the backs of four elephants atop a giant turtle. He also wrote stand-alone novels, children’s books and the beloved Good Omens with Neil Gaiman. The Discworld books are funny, humane and often surprisingly serious about power, prejudice, mortality and kindness. But with so many titles, newcomers face a big question: where to begin? The good news is that the series is organized into character-based sub-series that you can enter at different points. This guide matches each sub-series to the reader who will enjoy it, explains why you do not have to start with the first book and gives reading orders for each thread.
Table of Contents
You Do Not Have to Start With The Colour of Magic
The Colour of Magic (1983) is the first Discworld novel, but many fans consider the early books weaker than the later ones. It is a parody of fantasy tropes that follows the incompetent wizard Rincewind and the tourist Twoflower. If you enjoy it, great, but it is not necessary. Pratchett’s writing matured over time, and the series is divided into sub-series with their own characters. It is perfectly fine to begin with a book from any sub-series, and the best-known guide, a reading order chart by fans, shows how they connect.
City Watch: Guards! Guards!
Guards! Guards! (1989) introduces the City Watch of Ankh-Morpork, led by Captain Sam Vimes, a drunken, cynical policeman. A secret society summons a dragon to take over the city, and the Watch must stop it. It is funny and warm and has become a favorite starting point. The Watch sub-series continues with Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, Thud! and Snuff. Guards! Guards! is the most common recommendation.
Death: Mort
Mort (1987) tells of a teenage boy who becomes Death’s apprentice and falls for the princess he was supposed to let die. It introduces Death, who speaks in capital letters and cares more about humanity than he admits. It is short, charming and philosophical. Other Death books include Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather and Thief of Time. Mort is a delight for readers who like a mix of humor and heart.
Witches: Wyrd Sisters
Wyrd Sisters (1988) follows Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick as they attempt to restore the rightful king of Lancre. It parodies Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet. The witches’ sub-series includes Equal Rites, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, Maskerade and Carpe Jugulum. It is a good start if you like funny, strong women. Wyrd Sisters is accessible and witty.
Moist von Lipwig: Going Postal
Going Postal (2004) features Moist von Lipwig, a con man given a choice between execution and revitalizing the city’s post office. It begins the Industrial Revolution sub-series that continues with Making Money and Raising Steam. It is lively and clever and a good entry for readers who like caper stories. Going Postal is also a good pick for fans of business satire.
Young Adult: The Wee Free Men
The Wee Free Men (2003) introduces Tiffany Aching, a nine-year-old girl who protects her family from the Queen of the Elves with the help of the Nac Mac Feegle, tiny blue warriors. It is written for younger readers, but adults love it. The series continues with A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, I Shall Wear Midnight and The Shepherd’s Crown (2015), Pratchett’s final novel. The Wee Free Men is a perfect first read for older children and teens.
Stand-Alone Discworld: Small Gods and The Truth
Some Discworld books stand alone. Small Gods (1992) is a satirical novel about belief and power. The Truth (2000) is about the founding of a newspaper in Ankh-Morpork. Both are good entry points if you prefer to avoid recurring characters. Small Gods contains commentary on organized religion in a fantasy setting, and readers should know it is satire.
Good Omens
Good Omens (1990), co-written with Neil Gaiman, follows an angel and a demon who try to prevent the apocalypse because they have grown fond of Earth. It is not part of Discworld but is a comic fantasy full of Pratchett’s wit. It was adapted into a TV series in 2019. If you want a stand-alone, Good Omens is ideal.
Reading Order Options
Fans debate reading order. Some read in publication order, while others follow sub-series. The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic begin the Rincewind books. The Watch books are best in order, as are the witches, Death and Tiffany Aching. A popular fan-made chart shows the sub-series as lines connecting. Whichever you choose, you will be fine; Pratchett always gave enough context to follow.
Pratchett’s Life and Legacy
Terry Pratchett was born in 1948 in England and began as a journalist before writing his first novels. He published The Colour of Magic in 1983 and kept writing for more than thirty years. He was diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, which he referred to as an embuggerance, and he campaigned for assisted dying rights. He was knighted in 2009 and died in 2015 at the age of 66. His final novel, The Shepherd’s Crown, was published later that year. Fans remember him for his anger at injustice, his humor and his love of ordinary people.
Adaptations, Audiobooks and Footnotes
Discworld has been adapted for television and film, including Hogfather (2006), The Colour of Magic (2008), Going Postal (2010) and the series The Watch (2021). Good Omens became a TV series in 2019. The audiobooks, read by narrators such as Stephen Briggs, Nigel Planer and Tony Robinson, are beloved. One trademark of Pratchett’s prose is the footnote, which delivers jokes and asides, so print or e-book readers may enjoy them more than listeners. Whichever format you choose, enjoy the wit.
Print, E-Book or Audiobook for Terry Pratchett?
Your format can change how a book feels. Print is best if you like to underline and flip back, e-books are handy for travel and night reading, and audiobooks are ideal for long books and for people who prefer to listen on walks or commutes. For Terry Pratchett, a good narrator can add a lot, so try a sample before you borrow. Your public library likely offers all three formats through free apps, and holds let you queue for popular titles. If a book is over 500 pages, many readers find that combining a print copy with an audiobook helps them keep momentum.
How to Tell Whether Terry Pratchett Is Right for You
Before you commit to a long book, test the author’s voice. Read the first chapter or a free sample, and ask yourself whether you want to keep going. Check a few reviews from readers whose tastes match yours, not only the top rated ones. Notice what bothers you, whether it is the pace, the tone or the subject matter, and use that to choose a different starting point. If the first book does not click, try another from this list before giving up, since an author’s books can differ widely. Every reader has a best starting point, and it is not always the most famous title.
Reading Terry Pratchett With a Book Club or Friends
Many of these books are good for group reading because they spark strong opinions. Pick one title and agree on a date, then meet in person or online to talk about it. Questions that work well include: what surprised you, which character did you understand best, and did the ending feel earned? If your group has mixed tastes, offer two or three starting points from this guide and let people choose. A shared read can turn a hard-to-start author into a favorite, and hearing other readers’ reactions often reveals things you missed.
Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Terry Pratchett
A few common missteps can make a good author feel like a bad fit. Do not begin with the longest or most famous title just because it is famous; a shorter, tighter book is a gentler introduction. Do not read reviews that spoil twists, since much of the pleasure comes from surprise. Do not judge the author by an adaptation, because movies and shows often change tone and content. Do not force yourself through a book that bores you after fifty pages; move on to another recommendation from this guide. And do not read everything at once. Spacing books out lets you notice patterns and appreciate how Terry Pratchett writes.
A Long-Term Reading Plan for Terry Pratchett
Once you have found a favorite, build a plan that keeps the pleasure going. Choose one new book every month or two, alternating between a famous title and a lesser-known one. Keep a short note of what you liked about each, such as the pacing, the characters or the ideas, and use those notes to pick the next. Revisit a favorite after a year, since second readings often reveal new details. Join an online community or a local group if you enjoy talking about the books. Over time you will develop your own ranking and your own recommendations for newcomers.
How Long Will It Take to Read Terry Pratchett?
If you read twenty minutes a day, you will finish about 15 to 20 pages, or roughly a 300-page book every two to three weeks. Reading thirty minutes a day cuts that to about ten days. Audiobooks at normal speed run around 9 hours for a 300-page book, so a daily commute of 45 minutes covers it in two weeks. These are rough numbers, but they show that even a busy reader can get through several of the books in this guide in a few months. Set a modest goal, and let the habit build.
Choosing the Right Edition of Terry Pratchett’s Books
Editions matter more than most readers expect. Paperbacks are the best value and the lightest to carry, while hardcovers last longer and often have better paper. Older books may exist in several translations or revised texts, so check which edition you are buying and whether it includes notes, maps or introductions. Omnibus volumes save money but can be heavy, so consider an e-book or audiobook for those. If you are sensitive to content, look for recent editions, which sometimes update language, and read the publisher’s description. For gifts, a clean, attractive edition of a stand-alone makes a good impression.
Giving Terry Pratchett’s Books as Gifts
Books by Terry Pratchett make good presents if you match the title to the person. Ask what they have read and enjoyed lately, then choose a starting point from this guide that fits their taste. A stand-alone or the first volume of a series is safer than a book from the middle. Pair the book with a small extra, such as a bookmark, tea or a gift card for a bookstore, and add a short note about why you thought of them. If you are unsure about content, choose the gentlest option on the list, or give a gift receipt so they can exchange it. A thoughtful recommendation often means more than the book itself.
What to Read If Terry Pratchett Is Not for You
Not every author clicks with every reader, and that is fine. If your first attempt does not work, try a different book from this guide before you give up, since the range within one author’s work can be wide. If you still do not enjoy it, look for writers with a similar subject but a different style, ask a librarian for read-alikes or browse the “readers also enjoyed” lists in your library catalog. You might also come back in a year, since tastes and moods change. Your time is limited, and there are many other wonderful books to read.
Related: 15 Best Fantasy Books for Beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Terry Pratchett book should I read first?
Guards! Guards!, Mort and Wyrd Sisters are popular entry points, and Good Omens is a stand-alone.
Do I need to read Discworld in order?
No. The sub-series are loosely connected, and you can start anywhere.
How many Discworld books are there?
There are 41 novels, with The Shepherd’s Crown (2015) as the last.
Is Terry Pratchett good for beginners to fantasy?
Yes, because he parodies fantasy tropes, he is a friendly introduction.
Is Discworld for kids?
The Tiffany Aching books are for younger readers, while the others are for teens and adults.