What is the best Discworld reading order?

The best approach is to pick a sub-series that interests you: City Watch (start with Guards! Guards!), Death (start with Mort), or Witches (start with Wyrd Sisters). Each sub-series can be read independently.

Should I read Discworld in publication order?

You can, but it's not necessary. The first two books (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic) are direct parodies of fantasy tropes and not representative of the series. Many fans recommend starting elsewhere.

Discworld Reading Order

Terry Pratchett's Discworld is a 41-book satirical fantasy series set on a flat world balanced on four elephants standing on a giant turtle. The books are loosely connected and can be approached in multiple ways.

Our Recommendation: Start with a Sub-Series Don't start with book 1. Instead, pick a sub-series that appeals to you: Guards! Guards! for City Watch (crime/noir), Mort for Death stories, or Wyrd Sisters for the Witches. Each works as an entry point.

Best Starting Points

Guards! Guards! — Best overall starting point. Introduces Ankh-Morpork and the City Watch.
Mort — Death takes on an apprentice. Great introduction to Pratchett's humor.
Small Gods — Standalone philosophical comedy. No prior knowledge needed.
Going Postal — Modern-feeling standalone about con men and the postal service.

Reading by Sub-Series

The City Watch (8 books)

Follow Commander Sam Vimes and the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Crime fiction meets fantasy.

Guards! Guards!Buy Now1989
Men at ArmsBuy Now1993
Feet of ClayBuy Now1996
JingoBuy Now1997
The Fifth ElephantBuy Now1999
Night WatchBuy Now2002
Thud!Buy Now2005
SnuffBuy Now2011

Death (5 books)

The Grim Reaper becomes fascinated with humanity. Darkly funny and philosophical.

MortBuy Now1987
Reaper ManBuy Now1991
Soul MusicBuy Now1994
HogfatherBuy Now1996
Thief of TimeBuy Now2001

The Witches (6 books)

Granny Weatherwax and the Lancre witches. Shakespeare parodies and practical magic.

Equal RitesBuy Now1987
Wyrd SistersBuy Now1988
Witches AbroadBuy Now1991
Lords and LadiesBuy Now1992
MaskeradeBuy Now1995
Carpe JugulumBuy Now1998

Rincewind & The Wizards (8 books)

The Colour of MagicBuy Now1983
The Light FantasticBuy Now1986
SourceryBuy Now1988
EricBuy Now1990
Interesting TimesBuy Now1994
The Last ContinentBuy Now1998
The Last HeroBuy Now2001
Unseen AcademicalsBuy Now2009

Complete Publication Order

If you want to read everything in order, here's the full list of all 41 Discworld novels by publication date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read Discworld in order?

No. While there's continuity within sub-series (like the City Watch books), most books work as standalones. Start with whichever sub-series interests you most.

Why shouldn't I start with The Colour of Magic?

The first two books are direct parodies of fantasy tropes and don't represent Pratchett's later, more sophisticated work. Many readers who start there bounce off the series. Guards! Guards! or Mort are better entry points.

How many Discworld books are there?

There are 41 Discworld novels. Terry Pratchett passed away in 2015, and The Shepherd's Crown (2015) is the final book in the series.

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