The Color of Magic, if you're reading the Discworld novels start at the beginning. You don't need to, but you get the in-jokes. I started with the Fifth Elephant, so when I went back to the beginning, it all made more sense. If you're not, then I suggest reading Small Gods (a Discworld Novel), American Gods (by Neil Gaiman), *then* reading Good Omens, a joint effort. - Admiral Anika

Also Strata and Dark Side of the Sun (the 2nd and 3rd Pratchett books I read) are both good. Dark Side of the Sun reminds me of a light Iain M. Banks books. - Admiral Anika

I've mostly read the Discworld series in order, and IMO it's easier to deal with the gradual changes in tone and style that way. - Andrew C

The used book store in downtown Mtn View (Book Buyers) has an extensive SF section. There's a shelf reserved just for Pratchett's books and it's usually empty - I gather that those books get sold pretty quickly. - Andrew C

Thanks guys :). Awesome suggestions. I think I'll start with the Color of Magic. I got a vague idea on the Discworld novels on wikipedia and what you said Anika makes sense. - Kamath (नमः)

I love the Discworld books and it makes sense to read them in order (as Anika said). That said, out of all the books there are a number of repeating story arcs that span several books, like the Rincewind books, the Witches, or the Watch books. Whatever you do, make sure you read the 'mini-series' books in order. Personally, I love the 'Watch' books and would start with "Guards! Guards!". - Threepwood

@DeanLeishman @Ms_Charcoal Wld I be able to get into Guards Guards quickly since I wld be starting on the 8th book & not first? - Kamath (नमः)

Yes, if you're reading the mini-series within the novels, then you don't necessarily have to read the books in order. Discworld is just that, so you don't always have the same characters in the books. Sometimes the characters are the focus, sometimes they're background characters with just one line. Like I said, the first Discworld book I read was The Fifth Elephant, I think that was a Watch book, but the 2nd one I read was about Vampires, some of the people from The Fifth Elephant were mentioned in passing. - Admiral Anika

The only reason I say read from the beginning is that it's "life" more or less. So people change jobs, relationships, etc...when you read the later books, then read the earlier ones it's like a spoiler of sorts. - Admiral Anika

++ Threepwood -- that's exactly what I'd recommend (I <3 Vimes!); you don't have to read all of the books in order of publication, but it helps to read the arcs together. There are several books (like Pyramids, or Small Gods) that are stand-alone works that you can read in anywhere. If you were to read Hogfather before reading Soul Music, you might get a bit confused. The Wikipedia entry actually covers the arcs pretty well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... - Jennifer Dittrich

I vote Good Omens, which he wrote with Neil Gaiman. Love that book. - Haggis (Sean Loyless)

L-Space.org offers some guides, too http://www.lspace.org/books... - Timothy Griffin

Wow, enlightening. You guys know your Pratchett. I was pretty sure I am going to start with The Color of Magic but I need to read a little more about Guards! Guards! or even Small Gods or Good Omens. - Kamath (नमः)

@Timothy that's a very useful guide. Liked this graphic http://www.lspace.org/books... - Kamath (नमः)

Definitely read them in order.... but I might also start with Good Omens. It's a collaboration, but laugh-out-loud funny... you'll get a solid novel with an introduction to his sense of humor. - Jen (SquirrelGirl)

That is a great link, Timothy. I couldn't remember where I'd seen that reading guide graphic before :) - Jennifer Dittrich

One thing about Pratchett's books in the US is that (AFAIK) they generally don't have the great Paul Kidby or Josh Kirby covers. This probably sounds a bit petty, but OTOH, look up the cover art - it's great. - Andrew C

Andrew: You might cringe at this but I usually listen to books first so not worried so much about the cover art. If I love it, then I go kill a couple of trees. :) - Kamath (नमः)

Andrew, that's not entirely true. Most of my Pratchett books have the Kidby or Kirby covers. They weren't hard to find at all. - Admiral Anika

Maybe Audible is geo-tarded but I can't find Good Omens on it. Any of you in the U.S. who see it? - Kamath (नमः)

It really makes me feel terrible whenever I think of pterry having Alzheimer's - Aaman (Clone of FF)

@aamanlamba I know. I heard he writes just a few words a day because of it but he still does! How awesome is that! - Kamath (नमः)

One more thing. If you're gong to read the Discworld books in order, I own them all. Some of them are nearly impossible to find in bookstores and libraries, so if you run into that problem just let me know. - Admiral Anika

Anika! That's an amazingly generous offer. Thank you. I really appreciate it :). - Kamath (नमः) from email