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Discworld Books in Order
All 41 of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels in publication order. You don't have to read them that way, though: the series splits into sub-series you can each start cold.
Discworld Books in Order: complete list
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Why this order?
Discworld is the rare giant series with no "wrong" way in. Terry Pratchett wrote 41 novels set on the same flat, turtle-borne world between 1983 and 2015, but they aren't one continuous story. Publication order (the default below) is the safe, complete spine: every book in the order it appeared, so you watch the world and Pratchett's craft deepen from broad parody into some of the sharpest satire in fantasy.
The famous question, though, isn't whether to read in publication order: it's which sub-series to start with, because the series clusters into self-contained arcs. Each one is now a separate track above the list. The City Watch arc (Guards! Guards! → Snuff, 8 books) is the most beloved thread, a noir-tinged cop story starring Sam Vimes, and the best all-round entry. The Death arc (Mort → Thief of Time, 5 books) is shorter and just as welcoming. The Witches arc (Equal Rites → Carpe Jugulum, 6 books) follows Granny Weatherwax; many readers skip straight to Wyrd Sisters, where the coven forms. The Tiffany Aching arc (The Wee Free Men → The Shepherd's Crown, 5 books) is the young-adult thread and closes with Pratchett's final novel. Moist von Lipwig (Going Postal → Raising Steam) is a late-era con-man trilogy and a great modern on-ramp. Rincewind & the Wizards (The Colour of Magic → Unseen Academicals, 8 books) is the original thread but the weakest opening: those first two books are loose parodies written before Pratchett found his voice, so save this track for later unless you're a completist.
Practical advice: use publication order for the full sweep, or pick a track and dive in: Guards! Guards!, Mort, Small Gods, or The Wee Free Men are the four best on-ramps. Standalones like Small Gods, Pyramids, and Monstrous Regiment sit outside every track, and the threads cross over more the deeper you read. Fans of Good Omens or Douglas Adams will feel right at home.
Timeline 1983-2015
Every entry by release year: rows that share a year are a cluster, and the long droughts are called out on the rail.
- 1983 The Colour of Magic
- 1986 The Light Fantastic
- 1987 Equal RitesMort
- 1988 SourceryWyrd Sisters
- 1989 PyramidsGuards! Guards!
- 1990 EricMoving Pictures
- 1991 Reaper ManWitches Abroad
- 1992 Small GodsLords and Ladies
- 1993 Men at Arms
- 1994 Soul MusicInteresting Times
- 1995 Maskerade
- 1996 Feet of ClayHogfather
- 1997 Jingo
- 1998 The Last ContinentCarpe Jugulum
- 1999 The Fifth Elephant
- 2000 The Truth
- 2001 Thief of TimeThe Last HeroThe Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
- 2002 Night Watch
- 2003 The Wee Free MenMonstrous Regiment
- 2004 A Hat Full of SkyGoing Postal
- 2005 Thud!
- 2006 Wintersmith
- 2007 Making Money
- 2009 Unseen Academicals
- 2010 I Shall Wear Midnight
- 2011 Snuff
- 2013 Raising Steam
- 2015 The Shepherd's Crown
Where to play it today
- Buy in print or ebook from Amazon / Kindle
- Audiobooks on Audible (acclaimed narrations)
- Kobo and other ebook stores
- Local libraries and Libby/OverDrive
Availability changes often and varies by region - links search each platform for Discworld.
Frequently asked questions
How many Discworld books are there?
There are 41 mainline Discworld novels, published between 1983 (The Colour of Magic) and 2015 (The Shepherd's Crown), Terry Pratchett's final book. There are also companion volumes, short stories, and maps outside the main 41.
What order should I read Discworld in?
You can read in publication order for the full arc, or pick a sub-series and start fresh. The series splits into the City Watch, Witches, Death, Rincewind, Tiffany Aching, and Moist von Lipwig threads; each is available as its own track on this page.
Which Discworld sub-series should I start with?
The City Watch arc (start with Guards! Guards!) is the most common recommendation and the most beloved thread. The Death arc (Mort) is a shorter, equally friendly alternative, and The Wee Free Men opens the Tiffany Aching arc for younger readers. Save Rincewind & the Wizards for later: its opening books are the series' weakest entry point.
Where should a beginner start with Discworld?
The four best on-ramps are Guards! Guards! (City Watch), Mort (Death), Small Gods (standalone), and The Wee Free Men (younger readers). Avoid starting with The Colour of Magic: it's the weakest first book.
Do I have to read Discworld in publication order?
No. Because the novels cluster into self-contained sub-series, you can jump into any thread at its first book. Publication order is only essential if you want to follow the world's evolution chronologically.
What are the Discworld sub-series?
The main threads are Rincewind, the Witches, Death, the City Watch, Tiffany Aching, and Moist von Lipwig, plus several standalone novels like Small Gods, Pyramids, and Monstrous Regiment.
Which is the best Discworld book?
Opinions vary, but Small Gods, Night Watch, and Going Postal are the most commonly cited favorites. Small Gods is a frequent pick for the single best, and it works as a complete standalone.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, discworld.com, discworldreadingorder.azurewebsites.net, Wikidata
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