EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

Hi everyone (sorry if this is in the wrong place, I'm new to groups completely),
Should I start at #1 or can I pick up any of them? Can anyone recommend a good starting point? Thanks!

Lots of people say start at #3 because they don't like the first two. I did like the first two. You could also read just a subset, like for example if you're interested in the motif of witches you could read this batch:

Equal Rites 1987
Wyrd Sisters 1988
Witches Abroad 1991
Lords and Ladies 1992
Maskerade 1995
Carpe Jugulum 1998

Or if you're interested in Death, or the anti-hero Rincewind, or something else, check here: https://bookriot.com/2018/09/11/discw...

I know there (was?) an actual chart somewhere but I can't find it. This is close, and very helpful imo: https://www.discworldemporium.com/con...

Caveat: Some websites say 'start anywhere, it doesn't matter." Yes it does. I read Going Postal first and spent a long time catching up and figuring out what the heck everything is. Start somewhere near the beginning.

Cheryl wrote: "Lots of people say start at #3 because they don't like the first two. I did like the first two. You could also read just a subset, like for example if you're interested in the motif of witches you ..."

Thanks! I do know some things about the Discworld, but it's practically the bare minimum. I saw the Hogfather as a kid too, so I'm not going in completely blind. Those sites you linked are really helpful though!

I have just started the first one of the series, and it's my first discworld. Honestly I have a little trouble getting through it, but I can't compare it to other discworld books. I heard Mort and Night Watch are great though!

Cheryl wrote: "I know there (was?) an actual chart somewhere but I can't find it. This is close, and very helpful imo: https://www.discworldemporium.com/con...
"

That is actually really helpful! Thanks Cheryl!

I know this is older, but I really recommend starting with Guards! Guards! If you are drawn to Discworld for the fantasy.

You get introduced to the main city, the guild structure, and basically it sets out everything. I started there and have branched out since then, and haven't had issues with understanding the other story lines because of it.

Kim wrote: "I know this is older, but I really recommend starting with Guards! Guards! If you are drawn to Discworld for the fantasy.

You get introduced to the main city, the guild structure, and basically it..."

That's so strange, I had someone else recommend that very same book to me today! The universe is telling me something... Thank you!

I started at the beginning and enjoyed every book. That being said he has books that feed off of each other. Guard Guards is pivotal in many of those. I don't think there is a wrong place to start. So grab your walking suitcase and enjoy

Hello!

I have always heard that the best book is Guards! Guards!

But I read them in order, starting with The colour of Magic and I have always enjoyed quite a lot.

It's true also that that both The Colour of the Magic and The Light Fantastic (novels #1 and #2) are not the best and not representative of the quality of the saga, so if you start with those, I think you should take that into account.

Also you can start with any of the sub story lines, so you can pick any first book of the story line you feel more attracted to.

I plan to read soon Mort, wich is the #1 for the storyline of the Death. In case you feel like a Buddy Read, let me know, I think it's not a bad book to start with =)

I actually found the death story line to be my favorite, I love the char Susan. I could read as many books about her as is written

Sonsoles wrote: "Hello!

I have always heard that the best book is Guards! Guards!

But I read them in order, starting with The colour of Magic and I have always enjoyed quite a lot.

It's true also that that both ..."

I've actually gotten the Tiffany Aching series since I first posted this. When were you planning to read Mort?

Renee wrote: "I actually found the death story line to be my favorite, I love the char Susan. I could read as many books about her as is written"

I remember watching the Hogfather as a kid, she's Death's granddaughter, isn't she?

Jess wrote: "I have just started the first one of the series, and it's my first discworld. Honestly I have a little trouble getting through it, but I can't compare it to other discworld books. I heard Mort and ..."

The Colour of Magic is very different from the later books, and is more satire of fantasy than satire of society. Guards! Guards! is a solid starting point, because it's essentially a fantasy police procedural. I can also recommend two of the standalones- The Truth (satires newspapers) and Small Gods (satires religion and philosophy). And I know people start with Mort but I have such a huge soft spot for Reaper Man.

Sorry, I know people have already moved on but I see a Discworld ask and I have to cram in my two cents. :D

Lorna wrote: "Sonsoles wrote: "Hello!

I have always heard that the best book is Guards! Guards!

But I read them in order, starting with The colour of Magic and I have always enjoyed quite a lot.

It's true als..."

It's actually the next book on my list, so I thought maybe in a week and a half or two weeks at most I could start reading it.

Sha wrote: "Sorry, I know people have already moved on but I see a Discworld ask and I have to cram in my two cents. :D"

Don't be silly, all opinions welcome no matter when it was posted! It's for anyone interested in starting not just me :)

Sonsoles wrote: "Lorna wrote: "Sonsoles wrote: "Hello!

I have always heard that the best book is Guards! Guards!

But I read them in order, starting with The colour of Magic and I have always enjoyed quite a lot.
..."

Ah I'll probably still be getting through my current read. I'm short on free time because of work. Let me know what you think of it though, so I can add it to the list!

Ok, I will let you know when I finish reading it ^^ I hope you enjoy your reading =)

Thank you for this thread, I’ve always wondered the same! 😀

Yes Susan is death's grand daughter. I love the char. She is a take charge woman. I find the story lines funny. I love when the death of rats just says squeak.


Lorna wrote: "Renee wrote: "I actually found the death story line to be my favorite, I love the char Susan. I could read as many books about her as is written"

I remember watching the Hogfather as a kid, she's ..."

There’s a good graphic novel adaptation of the first two books together, if you’re finding The Color of Magic hard to get thru. The Death books are some of my favorites. I love the Tiffany Aching books too, tho not everybody does. It’s a great series to explore! I’m currently re-reading the first few so I can read the later books I haven’t got to yet without being totally confused.

I'm currently reading the Discworld books in publication order (taking breaks between installments). I've read the first four. I can't say if any of the later books are better starting places, but personally I enjoy reading series in publication order.

I found the first book The Color of Magic to be good in the early going. It is really four separate stories with the same main characters (Rincewind the magician, Twoflower the tourist, and the Luggage), and the stories are parodies of other well-known fantasy worlds (Conan, Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, Lovecraft, Anne McCaffrey's dragon-riders, etc.) so your enjoyment of the first book might be limited if you aren't familiar with some of those series, and vice versa of course.

The second book The Light Fantastic picks up right where the first book left off, with the same main characters. This book tells one story only, and it has no chapters which is the same as future Discworld installments.

I personally enjoyed the third book Equal Rites the best. Granny Weatherwax is introduced and she is a hoot!

The fourth book Mort focuses on DEATH and his new assistant Mort. I didn't like it quite as much as Equal Rites but it was enjoyable.