Discworld Reading Order

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Discworld Reading Order | OpenFiction

Recommended First Read

The most popular approach for newcomers to Discworld: pick a sub-series and read it through before moving on. Rather than interleaving 41 books across six storylines as publication order does, this groups each sub-series together so you can follow a set of characters from beginning to end. The City Watch is the most recommended starting point - Guards! Guards! introduces Sam Vimes and the Ankh-Morpork Night Watch in a story that blends detective fiction with fantasy. The Death series offers Pratchett at his most philosophical, the Witches at his most theatrical, and the Moist von Lipwig books are tightly plotted standalone adventures ideal for readers who prefer shorter commitments. The Tiffany Aching series is young adult but widely loved by all ages - best read after the Witches for the full emotional payoff. Standalone novels like Small Gods, Pyramids, and The Truth can be read at any point and make excellent one-off introductions to the Disc.

The City Watch
Best starting point. Start with Guards! Guards! - detective fiction meets fantasy. Sam Vimes is one of Pratchett's greatest characters.
1
Guards! Guards!(1989)
2
Men at Arms(1993)
3
Feet of Clay(1996)
4
Jingo(1996)
5
The Fifth Elephant(1999)
6
Night Watch(2002)
7
Thud!(2005)
8
Snuff(2011)
Death
Start with Mort. The personification of Death as a sympathetic character exploring humanity.
9
Mort(1987)
10
Reaper Man(1991)
11
Soul Music(2005)
12
Hogfather(1996)
13
Thief of Time(2001)
The Witches
Start with Wyrd Sisters. Sharp, funny, and full of Shakespeare and fairy tale subversion. Equal Rites is earlier but tonally different.
14
Wyrd Sisters(1988)
15
Equal Rites(1987)
16
Witches Abroad(1991)
17
Lords and Ladies(1992)
18
Maskerade(1995)
19
Carpe Jugulum(1998)
Moist von Lipwig / The Industrial Revolution
Start with Going Postal. Con man rehabilitated by government bureaucracy. Accessible without prior Discworld knowledge.
20
Going Postal(2004)
21
Making Money(2007)
22
Raising Steam(2013)
Tiffany Aching
Young adult but beloved by all ages. Best read after the Witches for full appreciation of Granny Weatherwax.
23
Wee Free Men(1994)
24
Hat Full of Sky(2004)
25
Wintersmith(2006)
26
I Shall Wear Midnight(2010)
27
Shepherd's Crown(2015)
Rincewind / The Wizards
Where it all started, but the early books are the weakest. Best appreciated after you already love the Discworld.
28
The Colour of Magic(1983)
29
The Light Fantastic(1986)
30
Sourcery(1988)
31
Eric(2006)
32
Interesting Times(1994)
33
The Last Continent(1998)
34
The Last Hero(2001)
35
Unseen Academicals(2008)
36
Small Godsoptional(1992)
37
Pyramidsoptional(1989)
38
Moving Picturesoptional(2002)
39
The Truthoptional(1995)
40
Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodentsoptional(2001)
41
Monstrous Regimentoptional(2003)

Discworld - Reading Order

Publication Order

Recommended First Read

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Discworld - Reading Order

Publication Order

Recommended First Read