I haven't read any of the Discworld books, but I'm looking forward to starting them. (I love soliciting opinions on where to start, because the ensuing discussion is WAY less contentious than "what's the best way to make scrambled eggs?" That discussion gets as fierce as the mayo vs. Miracle Whip debate.)
A year and a half ago, I could have eviscerated him with my thoughts. Now I can barely hurt his feelings. Things used to be so much simpler.
Anya ,'Dirty Girls'
Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Steph L. - Oct 16, 2015 4:54:00 am PDT #23610 of 28297
I look more rad than Lutheranism
-t - Oct 16, 2015 5:24:09 am PDT #23611 of 28297
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
That's a fun conversation (where to start Discworld, that is, I am doing my own research into how to make scrambled eggs and even just within my own head that's contentious) - there are many good options! And jumping in anywhere is okay, the worst that happens is you miss out on the payoff of a running joke or don't catch a reference, I don't think any of the books would be ruined by being read as a stand alone.
I'm in the middle of The Martian, and just got the December issues of Asimov's and Ellery Queen, so it'll be a little while before I will be asking myself if it is time for the Shepherd's Crown.
Matt the Bruins fan - Oct 16, 2015 6:21:35 am PDT #23612 of 28297
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
The best way to make scrambled eggs isn't a spinach & feta omelet?
-t - Oct 16, 2015 6:38:32 am PDT #23613 of 28297
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
I haven't even gotten to omelets, yet.
Laura - Oct 16, 2015 11:23:12 am PDT #23614 of 28297
Our wings are not tired.
I don't know why I didn't verify my Discworld reading order plan with Buffistas before I dove in. What is wrong with me?
eta: Just finished Wyrd Sisters so lots of joy still to follow.
-t - Oct 16, 2015 12:15:48 pm PDT #23615 of 28297
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
There really isn't a wrong order, in my view. Although reading them entirely in reverse publishing order, say, might be confusing, it would probably still be enjoyable. And I know from experience that using whatever-I-find-in-used-bookstores order can work out just fine.
Liese S. - Oct 16, 2015 12:47:22 pm PDT #23616 of 28297
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."
Yeah, they're pretty good about getting you up to speed. I think the Tiffany Achings are actually a great way to start.
DXMachina - Oct 16, 2015 5:45:21 pm PDT #23617 of 28297
You always do this. We get tipsy, and you take advantage of my love of the scientific method.
Although reading them entirely in reverse publishing order, say, might be confusing.
This is kind of what I did. My first book was Thud when it first came out, then I went backwards through the Watch series until I got to Guards Guards, after which I went backwards through the Industrial thread (starting with Making Money). This was mostly because those were the books I had on hand when I started reading Pratchett. OTOH, I did the Death, Rincewind, and the Witches threads in proper order... Mostly. Now I'm going backwards through the Aching books.
It's probably well that I did it that way, because I think that if I had started out with the Colour of Magic I wouldn't have continued.
Steph L. - Oct 16, 2015 5:49:30 pm PDT #23618 of 28297
I look more rad than Lutheranism
One of my friends feels strongly that I should start with Guards Guards. I'm a complete noob and have no idea where the best place is to jump in.
DXMachina - Oct 16, 2015 5:50:27 pm PDT #23619 of 28297
You always do this. We get tipsy, and you take advantage of my love of the scientific method.
Also, there's this:
which is a simple graphic showing the various groups of books.