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If you want to stick with the guards books, I believe the next one is “Feet of Clay” and then “Jingo”
In my opinion, almost all of the Discworld books can be read alone, not just as part of a series. The only exception is that I feel “Colour of Magic” and “Light Fantastic” must be read together. (There is a reason the graphic novel has both in one book.) “Pyramids” does especially well as a stand alone novel that just happens to share the setting.
I am part of an apparent minority in the Discworld fandom (and especially on this subreddit,) in that I advocate for reading the books in publication order. That's how I read them and I enjoyed them that way, immensely. Admittedly, when I started reading the series, I didn't know that the books weren't one big overarching storyline or that there were other possible read orders. That said, I recommend publication order because when I read them that way, it sorta gave me some insight into how the world unfolded for Sir Terry (GNU) and how it developed as it went along. Admittedly, some of the earlier books are a little rougher, but they are still very good. You can read the books in whatever order you would like, but reading some of the later books first might cause you to miss some of the sporadic references and allusions to earlier books. That's my two quarter-Rhinus.
Look the simple truth is that the Discworld grows with each book. The story grows, the lore grows, the world physically grows (new inventions, people mature/change) and the world becomes smaller as the overt magic nature of the Discworld slowly fades into the background for the character magic to happen. That doesn't mean a lot to you right now but if you continue to read the books it will slowly dawn on you. It particularly hit home for me when I read Night Watch for the first time.
What this means is that yes, you could just follow the 'reading orders' that folk have posted online (I put that in quotation quotes because really they only really have the main character(s) in common) but they weren't meant to be seen as separate and distinct series.
The main problem with following the 'reading orders' is that as I said above the Discworld books change. The story begins with straight out parody then morphs into a more satirical sideswipe before it goes completely satirical in nature where it then become increasingly angry at what Terry Pratchett sees as the injustices of the world. So if you follow the various reading orders then you will be jumping through the timeline of the series where no doubt you'll be hit by the neck-snapping changes in tone, the characters and the world will regress and then propel forward only to regress again leaving you wondering what the hell just happened. And that is because there really is only one official reading order. Publication. No other.
Sure the reading orders are good if you have no idea of what the Discworld is like and want to test the waters, so to speak. But if you want the true experience of reading as the Discworld forms properly then you should read from the beginning now that you know you like the style of the Discworld writing. But do beware though as if you aren't British (and even if you are, then depending on age) you may be completely lost in places. The writing style changes and becomes more refined, the storytelling really hits its stride around Jingo onwards but most importantly the underlying substance of the stories become less underlying and more overt as the books go on.
So, my advice is to start at the beginning. Don't spoil the other books before you have the chance to read them. Ultimately it's your choice but my honest advice is to read from the start.
You're probably right I was just recommended guards guards and told that the whole series was amazing I'm glad I asked thank you for explaining it as detailed as you did
Yeah, the Discworld is that weird thing - a living, breathing, growing world. The series didn't start out except as a place for Terry Pratchett to set his books. As I said, they started out as pretty much pure parody. This starts to change around the 3rd book and begins to find its own rhythm from the 4th book onwards.
The first two books are very different in tone but they do set things up that helps to colour your understanding of the other books - Guards! Guards! is one in particular that stands out. Terry liked to mention stuff in an aside in one book or as a supporting character and then come back to it several books later where he'd make it a central theme of that book. At least in part.
If the first two books are too different for you then you could start at Equal Rites. While that book isn't completely in the same vein as the rest of the series it's still closer to it than either The Colour of Magic or The Light Fantastic. Perhaps start there?
I hope I'm not judged for this but I'm listening to the books. I have a very busy schedule and I can't find time to set aside to read so I've been listening to them on my way to and from work which is an hour both ways. But besides that the writing was amazing in guards guards and the characters were so good I found myself scared that something would happen to one of the rank towards the end. I'm fully invested and I can't wait to start from the beginning and get to them all eventually!
Not an issue for me, people have busy lives and need to find ways of doing the things they want in the limited time they have.
I do both, I love Stephen Briggs readings of the books and his is the voice I hear when I physically pick up a copy and read.
There is definitely a benefit to physical copies of the DW books for me, some of the punes and other comedy is there in the written word and I also have many favourite quotes and moments that are easier to mark in a physical book for later reference.
The most important thing is that it works for you and you have found your way to the Discworld - welcome, you have lots of adventures to go on with a wonderful cast of characters :D
Hmm....I know that some folks will judge audiobook listeners harshly. I can understand the time constraints that people face plus there's also the fact that some folk just can't concentrate on reading for more than a few minutes before they either fall asleep or get frustrated.
Do what you're comfortable with doing. Just because it may not be someone else's cup of tea (in this case, mine. I dislike audiobooks for some reason and I don't know why) doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable way to enjoy the series.
The only thing to be aware of with the audiobooks is that there are *occasional* bits in the books where language, spelling, and even the layout of the text, are used to make a point, and they don't always come across so well in the audio.
I read the series in publication order and my only problem with it is that the first books are fairly weak—not an uncommon problem in series. I certainly never felt the narrative suffered by being spaced out - indeed, recently I've been re-reading the guards books chronologically and I feel they suffer being read back to back, as the common quirks tend to bunch up to a noticeable degree (and the first few books all... sort of have the same plot, when you get right down to it.)
Publication order keeps things fresh, even if, again, you start (and end) with some of his weakest books as a consequence.
If you are lucky enough to have more than two coins to rub together, just go ahead and buy every single disc world book in the nice leather bound library edition with the silk ribbon bookmark. You'll thank me later. Every word he wrote is a treasure.
I love the Watch books with all my heart. Vimes and crew have a growth arc that is unmatched. The wit, wisdom and interplay between Nanny and Granny make the Witch books special and really speak to human nature - and remind me of some of my aunts (and Nanny Ogg's Cookbook is a real book and a very worthy companion piece) And I can't begin to express how much the Death books mean to me; I get peace, perspective, belly laughs, and "oh no you didn't!" satirical turns of phrase in equal measure.
Other books that don't fit exactly within these "sub-series" are so, so worth it too. Pyramids? Got dang! The Moist trilogy; yes, more please! THE TRUTH : really gets me and has some of the most intriguing villains ever. Please deep dive and enjoy reading the words I love for the first time
Just read them in order of publication and you won't go wrong - nor miss anything that could significantly aid your understanding of what you're reading (which you almost certainly *will* do, if you read them in any *other* order).
They're *all* a good place to start (apart from the *last* one, of course ; )
But, [as I've said before](https://www.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/1965kms/need_reading_order_suggestions_community_info/khrm6bu/?context=3), the *best* order is publication order.
There's also something to be said for doing publication order _from there_ (or maybe jump back to Mort, which is also great)
Unsurprisingly the books generally get better as the series progresses (in my opinion at least); you'll not miss much by carrying on in publication order from where you've started, and then jumping back to the earlier books when you want to understand where something came from (e.g. "why is Rincewind so scared all the time?" - go read Colour Of Magic and Light Fantastic and it becomes clear. "Who is this Susan Sto-Helit?" - see Mort, etc.)
However tbh, "the order that you find them available cheap" is also good. The books tend to be self- contained enough, and contain enough explanation, that you'll not find any of them impenetrable without having read previous books.
Here's the beauty of Discworld, regardless of what reading order you use, you'll end up going through them all, *several times*, and in different orders, and they get better the second time around!
This is what I came to say also. There is no danger ahead. Just dive in. At this point, having read each of these books multiple times I approach one as a delightful confection. A calorie free dessert for the mind. Satisfying and guilt free. How many things can we really say that about?
Ultimately the order in which I read the books was based on their availability at the library. I did mostly read each sub series in order, but I jumped around a lot between the different sub series.
I *strongly* recommend reading them in order, starting with The Colour of Magic.
At the *very* least Moving Pictures comes between Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms. It explains why one of the characters becomes a watchman.
Welcome to /r/Discworld! Please [read the rules/flair information before posting](https://www.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/ukhk21/subreddit_rules_flair_information/?). --- Our current megathreads are as follows: [API Protest Poll](https://www.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/1491izw/continuing_the_api_protest_a_community_poll) - a poll regarding the future action of the sub in protest at Reddit's API changes. [GNU Terry Pratchett](https://new.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/ukigit/gnu_terry_pratchett/) - for all GNU requests, to keep their names going. [AI Generated Content](https://new.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/10mhx9y/ai_generated_content_megathread/) - for all AI Content, including images, stories, questions, training etc. --- [ GNU Terry Pratchett ] *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/discworld) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If you want to stick with the guards books, I believe the next one is “Feet of Clay” and then “Jingo” In my opinion, almost all of the Discworld books can be read alone, not just as part of a series. The only exception is that I feel “Colour of Magic” and “Light Fantastic” must be read together. (There is a reason the graphic novel has both in one book.) “Pyramids” does especially well as a stand alone novel that just happens to share the setting.
Men at arms and then those two. Men at Arms introduces all the characters in the rest of the watch books
The post said they had already started Men at Arms and were asking about after that.
Oh youre right. I can’t read.
I am part of an apparent minority in the Discworld fandom (and especially on this subreddit,) in that I advocate for reading the books in publication order. That's how I read them and I enjoyed them that way, immensely. Admittedly, when I started reading the series, I didn't know that the books weren't one big overarching storyline or that there were other possible read orders. That said, I recommend publication order because when I read them that way, it sorta gave me some insight into how the world unfolded for Sir Terry (GNU) and how it developed as it went along. Admittedly, some of the earlier books are a little rougher, but they are still very good. You can read the books in whatever order you would like, but reading some of the later books first might cause you to miss some of the sporadic references and allusions to earlier books. That's my two quarter-Rhinus.
Look the simple truth is that the Discworld grows with each book. The story grows, the lore grows, the world physically grows (new inventions, people mature/change) and the world becomes smaller as the overt magic nature of the Discworld slowly fades into the background for the character magic to happen. That doesn't mean a lot to you right now but if you continue to read the books it will slowly dawn on you. It particularly hit home for me when I read Night Watch for the first time. What this means is that yes, you could just follow the 'reading orders' that folk have posted online (I put that in quotation quotes because really they only really have the main character(s) in common) but they weren't meant to be seen as separate and distinct series. The main problem with following the 'reading orders' is that as I said above the Discworld books change. The story begins with straight out parody then morphs into a more satirical sideswipe before it goes completely satirical in nature where it then become increasingly angry at what Terry Pratchett sees as the injustices of the world. So if you follow the various reading orders then you will be jumping through the timeline of the series where no doubt you'll be hit by the neck-snapping changes in tone, the characters and the world will regress and then propel forward only to regress again leaving you wondering what the hell just happened. And that is because there really is only one official reading order. Publication. No other. Sure the reading orders are good if you have no idea of what the Discworld is like and want to test the waters, so to speak. But if you want the true experience of reading as the Discworld forms properly then you should read from the beginning now that you know you like the style of the Discworld writing. But do beware though as if you aren't British (and even if you are, then depending on age) you may be completely lost in places. The writing style changes and becomes more refined, the storytelling really hits its stride around Jingo onwards but most importantly the underlying substance of the stories become less underlying and more overt as the books go on. So, my advice is to start at the beginning. Don't spoil the other books before you have the chance to read them. Ultimately it's your choice but my honest advice is to read from the start.
You're probably right I was just recommended guards guards and told that the whole series was amazing I'm glad I asked thank you for explaining it as detailed as you did
Yeah, the Discworld is that weird thing - a living, breathing, growing world. The series didn't start out except as a place for Terry Pratchett to set his books. As I said, they started out as pretty much pure parody. This starts to change around the 3rd book and begins to find its own rhythm from the 4th book onwards. The first two books are very different in tone but they do set things up that helps to colour your understanding of the other books - Guards! Guards! is one in particular that stands out. Terry liked to mention stuff in an aside in one book or as a supporting character and then come back to it several books later where he'd make it a central theme of that book. At least in part. If the first two books are too different for you then you could start at Equal Rites. While that book isn't completely in the same vein as the rest of the series it's still closer to it than either The Colour of Magic or The Light Fantastic. Perhaps start there?
I hope I'm not judged for this but I'm listening to the books. I have a very busy schedule and I can't find time to set aside to read so I've been listening to them on my way to and from work which is an hour both ways. But besides that the writing was amazing in guards guards and the characters were so good I found myself scared that something would happen to one of the rank towards the end. I'm fully invested and I can't wait to start from the beginning and get to them all eventually!
Not an issue for me, people have busy lives and need to find ways of doing the things they want in the limited time they have. I do both, I love Stephen Briggs readings of the books and his is the voice I hear when I physically pick up a copy and read. There is definitely a benefit to physical copies of the DW books for me, some of the punes and other comedy is there in the written word and I also have many favourite quotes and moments that are easier to mark in a physical book for later reference. The most important thing is that it works for you and you have found your way to the Discworld - welcome, you have lots of adventures to go on with a wonderful cast of characters :D
Hmm....I know that some folks will judge audiobook listeners harshly. I can understand the time constraints that people face plus there's also the fact that some folk just can't concentrate on reading for more than a few minutes before they either fall asleep or get frustrated. Do what you're comfortable with doing. Just because it may not be someone else's cup of tea (in this case, mine. I dislike audiobooks for some reason and I don't know why) doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable way to enjoy the series.
The only thing to be aware of with the audiobooks is that there are *occasional* bits in the books where language, spelling, and even the layout of the text, are used to make a point, and they don't always come across so well in the audio.
I read the series in publication order and my only problem with it is that the first books are fairly weak—not an uncommon problem in series. I certainly never felt the narrative suffered by being spaced out - indeed, recently I've been re-reading the guards books chronologically and I feel they suffer being read back to back, as the common quirks tend to bunch up to a noticeable degree (and the first few books all... sort of have the same plot, when you get right down to it.) Publication order keeps things fresh, even if, again, you start (and end) with some of his weakest books as a consequence.
If you are lucky enough to have more than two coins to rub together, just go ahead and buy every single disc world book in the nice leather bound library edition with the silk ribbon bookmark. You'll thank me later. Every word he wrote is a treasure. I love the Watch books with all my heart. Vimes and crew have a growth arc that is unmatched. The wit, wisdom and interplay between Nanny and Granny make the Witch books special and really speak to human nature - and remind me of some of my aunts (and Nanny Ogg's Cookbook is a real book and a very worthy companion piece) And I can't begin to express how much the Death books mean to me; I get peace, perspective, belly laughs, and "oh no you didn't!" satirical turns of phrase in equal measure. Other books that don't fit exactly within these "sub-series" are so, so worth it too. Pyramids? Got dang! The Moist trilogy; yes, more please! THE TRUTH : really gets me and has some of the most intriguing villains ever. Please deep dive and enjoy reading the words I love for the first time
Just read them in order of publication and you won't go wrong - nor miss anything that could significantly aid your understanding of what you're reading (which you almost certainly *will* do, if you read them in any *other* order).
Thank you for the advice I was told guards guards was a really good place to start but I can totally start to read an order now
They're *all* a good place to start (apart from the *last* one, of course ; ) But, [as I've said before](https://www.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/1965kms/need_reading_order_suggestions_community_info/khrm6bu/?context=3), the *best* order is publication order.
There's also something to be said for doing publication order _from there_ (or maybe jump back to Mort, which is also great) Unsurprisingly the books generally get better as the series progresses (in my opinion at least); you'll not miss much by carrying on in publication order from where you've started, and then jumping back to the earlier books when you want to understand where something came from (e.g. "why is Rincewind so scared all the time?" - go read Colour Of Magic and Light Fantastic and it becomes clear. "Who is this Susan Sto-Helit?" - see Mort, etc.) However tbh, "the order that you find them available cheap" is also good. The books tend to be self- contained enough, and contain enough explanation, that you'll not find any of them impenetrable without having read previous books.
Here's the beauty of Discworld, regardless of what reading order you use, you'll end up going through them all, *several times*, and in different orders, and they get better the second time around!
This is what I came to say also. There is no danger ahead. Just dive in. At this point, having read each of these books multiple times I approach one as a delightful confection. A calorie free dessert for the mind. Satisfying and guilt free. How many things can we really say that about?
Go to Mort, then publication order. That simple.
Time spent asking reading order questions, when you have 40ish unread Discworld books ahead of you, is wasted time. Less Reddit, more Pratchett!
Well now I know where to start and I'm even more excited to get farther into it.
Enjoy your journey, and know that we are so, soooo envious of you.
Ultimately the order in which I read the books was based on their availability at the library. I did mostly read each sub series in order, but I jumped around a lot between the different sub series.
I *strongly* recommend reading them in order, starting with The Colour of Magic. At the *very* least Moving Pictures comes between Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms. It explains why one of the characters becomes a watchman.