Disc World

[PhoenixDarkDirk]

I also really enjoyed the book with the Vampires and the witches although I can't recall the title at the moment.

That would be Carpe Jugulum.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

Sounds like Guards, Guards is getting the most votes for a starting point, followed by books lk Pyramids, Mort and others.

 

[awayfarer]

Put me down for another "Guards Guards" recommendation. "Reaper Man" is another of my favorites. I liked "Lords and Ladies" best of the witch-oriented books.

Like others have said, "Colour of Magic" is kind of weak compared to the rest of the series. I read it first only because it's the first in the series.

Note that while you don't have to read the books in order, you will likely encounter spoilers by reading them any which way.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

Well, I got copies from the library and read Going Postal, Color of Magic and Lords and Ladies. I enjoyed Postal the most.

I'll have to check again, but i think the library has Fifth Elephant and Thud!. What do you think of those volumes?

 

[SteelDraco]

Well, I got copies from the library and read Going Postal, Color of Magic and Lords and Ladies. I enjoyed Postal the most.

I'll have to check again, but i think the library has Fifth Elephant and Thud!. What do you think of those volumes?

Fifth Elephant and Thud! are both Watch books, and those are IMO the most serial of all of the books. There's a fairly clear progression in Ankh-Morpork from a generic fantasy city in the first books to a more modern city, and most of that progression comes in the Watch books. You also get new things in the lives of the various officers, most notably the developing relationships and the family life of Sam Vimes, the main character. I would start with Guards! Guards! if you can. The whole order goes, as I recall, Guards Guards!, Men At Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, and Thud!. Going Postal probably takes place near the end of that list, around the time of Night Watch.

As far as how I enjoyed 'em... Thud is probably one of my favorites of all the Discworld books, though I don't think that'd be a popular opinion. It's fairly preachy, but I still think it's a great story. Fifth Elephant is fun - Sam Vimes as a diplomat is just a brilliant idea.

 

[Mort]

I'd go with Guards! Guards (because it's a great beginning to a great arc of stories) or Small Gods because it's a great book and completely self contained (it's also one of the most hard hitting satirically, so you should take into account whether your friend likes that sort of thing).

Like many above, I'd avoid the Rincewind novels to begin with, they're really hit or miss.

 

[CAFRedblade]

I read Interesting Times as my first introduction to Discworld,
and hence I think is the reason I really like Rincewind the most
out of all the characters. However, I'd put Susan and the
DEATH series of novels next, and then the Guards series for
my personal preference.

And I'm starting to read the entire series over for the Fifth
or Sixth time from the beginning while I wait for Making Money
to reach shelves in paperback form.

 

[Nellisir]

The whole order goes, as I recall, Guards Guards!, Men At Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, and Thud!. Going Postal probably takes place near the end of that list, around the time of Night Watch.

Going Postal occurs before Thud! (which makes several references to stamps and mail coaches).

As far as how I enjoyed 'em... Thud is probably one of my favorites of all the Discworld books, though I don't think that'd be a popular opinion. It's fairly preachy, but I still think it's a great story.

Thud! didn't do it for me. A little too much Vimes, I think. I liked Going Postal quite alot.