The Discworld Series
There is no single mandatory Discworld reading order. Most adult readers should start with Guards! Guards! and the City Watch route; Wyrd Sisters, Mort, and The Wee Free Men are equally valid alternatives for different tastes.
Related reading guides
Best Book to Start With
Start with Guards! Guards! to follow the City Watch, or Mort for the Death series.
If You Watched the TV or Film Adaptation
Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels have inspired several screen adaptations, including The Colour of Magic, Going Postal, and The Watch.
Reading Order Notes
Publication Order: While you can read all 41 books in publication order to see the evolution of Pratchett's writing, most fans highly recommend picking a sub-series (like the City Watch) and reading through that character arc first.
Chronological Order: Chronological order is largely the same as publication order, but it matters less than following the individual character arcs.
Reading Orders
Discworld Publication Order
publication Order
View Order →Discworld: City Watch
recommended Order
View Order →Discworld: Death
recommended Order
View Order →Discworld: Witches
recommended Order
View Order →Discworld: Rincewind & Wizards
recommended Order
View Order →Discworld: Industrial Revolution
recommended Order
View Order →Discworld: Tiffany Aching
recommended Order
View Order →Books in Series
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Discworld reading order?
For most new adult readers, begin with Guards! Guards! and follow the City Watch route. Choose a different route only when you prefer its theme or audience.
Do I have to read all Discworld books?
No. Each character-led route works as a satisfying reading path, and you can explore other routes afterwards.
