If you aren’t familiar with Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series of books, I’m here to tell you to read one. Any one. Just read one. You’ll know if it’s for you or not, and if it is, indeed, for you, you’ll have 39 other books to get in to.
If I tell you that Terry Pratchett writes comedic fantasy, that will no doubt make some of you think that is a perfectly dreadful thing that you don’t want anything to do with. I can totally understand that. That fact kept me away for far too long. The best way I can explain why reading Pratchett is worth it, for me and my family and friends who are fans anyway, is because his work is so much better than it has to be. These books are cleverer, funnier, more thoughtful, more thought-provoking, and much more interesting than many books, and certainly more than many “fantasy” books.
Each Discworld book can stand alone as a novel, so you can start anywhere in the series. Below you’ll find a few that all feature the Ankh-Morpork City Watch (a personal favorite of mine – as the books can be loosely grouped by certain characters, such as the Witch books, the Wizard books, the Death books) and are kind of like police procedurals, turned upside down and made to fit the universe of the Discworld. Pick any one, and enjoy the brilliant, weird, funny universe of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. It’ll have more heart than you expect.
GUARDS! GUARDS!
By Terry Pratchett
DB62420
In a grand scheme to take over Ankh-Morpork, a secret magical society summons a terrifying dragon that is soon crowned king. Captain Vimes of the Night Watch risks being charbroiled to dethrone the firebreather and restore order. 1989.
FEET OF CLAY
By Terry Pratchett
DB52143
Ankh-Morpork is being stalked by a murderer. Even Commander Samuel Vimes of the City Guard has been attacked. Aided by dwarf Corporal Cheery Littlebottom, Vimes hopes to find the assassin. But in the end he uncovers information he would have been better off without. Some strong language. 1996.
THUD!
By Terry Pratchett
DB61415
Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork Watch contends with a crew of dwarfs, trolls, werewolves, golems, and humans and now must take on a vampire. With the anniversary of an ancient battle between dwarfs and trolls looming, a murder occurs and a painting that holds a secret is stolen. 2005.