World Book Day was just a few days ago and I thought I'd share my opinion on the ‘Discworld’ series by Terry Pratchett. I am obsessed with these books but I don't know anyone else who reads them! I began reading the ‘Younger Readers’ books in the series for a LAMDA exam when I was about 11, which are about a witch called Tiffany (she's 9 years old in the first book). I read all 5 of these books and have recently finished the final book, The Shepherd's crown, which is amazing. There are then about 36 other Discworld books for older readers (maybe 12+ or so) and I was given ‘Small Gods’ as a Christmas present, which might be one of the best books I've ever read (plus the new edition has a really pretty hardback cover!). It's a fantasy series set in a world like ours except it floats around on the back of 4 elephants on the back of a massive turtle swimming through space (as you do). I'd recommend starting with the Tiffany Aching series and then reading the rest in order (although I started with book 13 for some reason). They make sense in any order, but some of the Discworld history is easier to understand if you read them in order. Go to www.terrypratchett.com or something like that (actually just search Terry Pratchett books on the internet) to find out the reading order. They are not for everyone - my sister got really bored when I tried to read her part of it - but if you're interested in stuff like that then trust me it is AMAZING.

Bump! I want to know if there are other Discworld readers somewhere out there!

I've yet to read The Shepherd's Crown but I've read all the others at least once. I hope it's better than Raising Steam or Snuff though - those last two just weren't up to Pratchett's earlier standard (understandably given his illness).

I'd reply to your post more accurately but the lack of line breaks or paragraphs makes it a bit hard to pick apart so I'm just going to go my own way:

Generally my favourite stories are those involving Rincewind or the Ankh-Morpork City Watch but those both have exceptions (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic being particularly poor and Guards! Guards! never appealing to me). Just before Christmas I saw Maskerade at a local theatre which was, well, not as good as the book but relatively enjoyable nonetheless!

Flamekebab wrote:

I've yet to read The Shepherd's Crown but I've read all the others at least once. I hope it's better than Raising Steam or Snuff though - those last two just weren't up to Pratchett's earlier standard (understandably given his illness).

I'd reply to your post more accurately but the lack of line breaks or paragraphs makes it a bit hard to pick apart so I'm just going to go my own way:

Generally my favourite stories are those involving Rincewind or the Ankh-Morpork City Watch but those both have exceptions (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic being particularly poor and Guards! Guards! never appealing to me). Just before Christmas I saw Maskerade at a local theatre which was, well, not as good as the book but relatively enjoyable nonetheless!

Sorry about my lazy paragraphing! I haven't actually read that many of them (there are, what, 50 books in the series?) but I've read Raising Steam and I agree with you on that. The Shepherd's Crown is actually amazing considering his health at the time - you should read it!

Just hit enter whenever you remember

I'm planning on reading The Shepherd's Crown. I don't like having hardback copies so I tend to have to wait a while longer before adding them to my collection. As it stands I'm not in much of a hurry after my experiences with Raising Steam

On the plus side I feel like Snuff and Raising Steam are the only Discworld books I've read that I felt were affected by his health. Pretty good considering the number of books!

Do you have a favourite book or character?

Flamekebab wrote:

Just hit enter whenever you remember

I'm planning on reading The Shepherd's Crown. I don't like having hardback copies so I tend to have to wait a while longer before adding them to my collection. As it stands I'm not in much of a hurry after my experiences with Raising Steam

On the plus side I feel like Snuff and Raising Steam are the only Discworld books I've read that I felt were affected by his health. Pretty good considering the number of books!

Do you have a favourite book or character?

Not exactly, but I like Tiffany because the amount of books she's in gives her time to become a strong character. I also like Preston because he has actually provided me with a lot of interesting words to use in English lessons
In terms of favourite book I like The Shepherd's Crown and also Small Gods, but I don't have any particular favourite. Which one do you think I should read next?

Hmm, tricky.

Equal Rites is pretty good (as early Discworld books go) but I doubt you'll get the full effect from Wyrd Sisters unless you're a bit familiar with Macbeth and Hamlet. I enjoy Witches Abroad a great deal though and the rest aren't bad either.

Moving Pictures is one I rather enjoy although I'm not sure how well the many classic movie references will translate (depending on how old you are). I think I read it around the age you might be though so it's probably worth a shot. Soul Music is the same in that respect.
Mort is also pretty good, as memory serves. I read it in one sitting when I was about 13 on a long haul flight out to Mongolia!

Something I'd recommend is the audiobooks. I've had no end of good times listening to them!

Oh and it might amuse you that “Fox” is my surname.

Flamekebab wrote:

Hmm, tricky.

Equal Rites is pretty good (as early Discworld books go) but I doubt you'll get the full effect from Wyrd Sisters unless you're a bit familiar with Macbeth and Hamlet. I enjoy Witches Abroad a great deal though and the rest aren't bad either.

Moving Pictures is one I rather enjoy although I'm not sure how well the many classic movie references will translate (depending on how old you are). I think I read it around the age you might be though so it's probably worth a shot. Soul Music is the same in that respect.
Mort is also pretty good, as memory serves. I read it in one sitting when I was about 13 on a long haul flight out to Mongolia!

Something I'd recommend is the audiobooks. I've had no end of good times listening to them!

Oh and it might amuse you that “Fox” is my surname.

You are a real live Fox! Awesome!
I might try those because I know Macbeth, Hamlet and several classic movies (I used to go to a movie making club and we often watched famous clips from films). I have the audiobook of ‘The Wee Free Men’ and it's amazing how well Terry Pratchett's writing style translates into audio because all the wordplay and stuff is kept in. I'm currently re-reading The Shepherd's Crown for the 2nd time (after re-reading Small Gods for the 3rd time!) so when I've finished I'll definitely give another Discworld book a try. Thanks!

I'm surprised you've enjoyed Small Gods that much. I like it as an audiobook because it meanders a fair bit and isn't all that great. That might sound like an odd thing to say but if I'm going to sleep anything that's too good keeps me awake!

I'm rather fond of The Last Continent too - there's something delightful about the escapism of it. I enjoy my life but having something that gives me a bit of a fictional holiday can really improve a dreary day. It's fairly stand-alone too so you might want to give it a go.

Flamekebab wrote:

I'm surprised you've enjoyed Small Gods that much. I like it as an audiobook because it meanders a fair bit and isn't all that great. That might sound like an odd thing to say but if I'm going to sleep anything that's too good keeps me awake!

I'm rather fond of The Last Continent too - there's something delightful about the escapism of it. I enjoy my life but having something that gives me a bit of a fictional holiday can really improve a dreary day. It's fairly stand-alone too so you might want to give it a go.

I sort of like books that drift around everywhere for some reason because it gives you time to think about what's going on in the book. That's just my opinion, though, and I'm quite random
OK, I'll add The Last Continent to the list of books in my head that I'll try and get round to reading soon!

Randomfox wrote:

World Book Day was just a few days ago and I thought I'd share my opinion on the ‘Discworld’ series by Terry Pratchett. I am obsessed with these books but I don't know anyone else who reads them! I began reading the ‘Younger Readers’ books in the series for a LAMDA exam when I was about 11, which are about a witch called Tiffany (she's 9 years old in the first book). I read all 5 of these books and have recently finished the final book, The Shepherd's crown, which is amazing. There are then about 36 other Discworld books for older readers (maybe 12+ or so) and I was given ‘Small Gods’ as a Christmas present, which might be one of the best books I've ever read (plus the new edition has a really pretty hardback cover!). It's a fantasy series set in a world like ours except it floats around on the back of 4 elephants on the back of a massive turtle swimming through space (as you do). I'd recommend starting with the Tiffany Aching series and then reading the rest in order (although I started with book 13 for some reason). They make sense in any order, but some of the Discworld history is easier to understand if you read them in order. Go to www.terrypratchett.com or something like that (actually just search Terry Pratchett books on the internet) to find out the reading order. They are not for everyone - my sister got really bored when I tried to read her part of it - but if you're interested in stuff like that then trust me it is AMAZING.

I really like what Terry Pratchet writes, although i have only read the first 2 booksin the discworld series

narayanag wrote:

Randomfox wrote:

World Book Day was just a few days ago and I thought I'd share my opinion on the ‘Discworld’ series by Terry Pratchett. I am obsessed with these books but I don't know anyone else who reads them! I began reading the ‘Younger Readers’ books in the series for a LAMDA exam when I was about 11, which are about a witch called Tiffany (she's 9 years old in the first book). I read all 5 of these books and have recently finished the final book, The Shepherd's crown, which is amazing. There are then about 36 other Discworld books for older readers (maybe 12+ or so) and I was given ‘Small Gods’ as a Christmas present, which might be one of the best books I've ever read (plus the new edition has a really pretty hardback cover!). It's a fantasy series set in a world like ours except it floats around on the back of 4 elephants on the back of a massive turtle swimming through space (as you do). I'd recommend starting with the Tiffany Aching series and then reading the rest in order (although I started with book 13 for some reason). They make sense in any order, but some of the Discworld history is easier to understand if you read them in order. Go to www.terrypratchett.com or something like that (actually just search Terry Pratchett books on the internet) to find out the reading order. They are not for everyone - my sister got really bored when I tried to read her part of it - but if you're interested in stuff like that then trust me it is AMAZING.

I really like what Terry Pratchet writes, although i have only read the first 2 booksin the discworld series

I've only read a few, but from what I've heard from other readers they get better and better after the first two. Keep reading!

I LIKEV DISCWORLD MY FAVOURITE CHARACTERS DEATH WHOS YOURS

elliotx17 wrote:

I LIKEV DISCWORLD MY FAVOURITE CHARACTERS DEATH WHOS YOURS

No idea… I like Tiffany though
Good idea to write about DEATH in CAPITAL LETTERS XD

Probably Gaspode for me.

WHOS GASPODE

Is your capslock key broken..?

Gaspode is a talking dog.

oh thanks do you like death and whats the best death story

Death is a rather fun character. “Best” is a matter of opinion - you might as well ask what the best colour is
My favourites with Death as the central character are probably Reaper Man or Hogfather. I've re-read both several times.

elliotx17 wrote:

oh thanks do you like death and whats the best death story

Mort is funny, I like the bits with Death walking around as a human:
THIS IS FUN. HE IS HAVING FUN. WE ARE HAVING FUN. WHAT FUN.