Essential Reads: Terry Pratchett

The novels of Terry Pratchett have reached cult level status among many readers of the fantasy genre. However, Pratchett's Discworld series has become so popular that many of the series' titles are regularly name-dropped in literary and academic circles. While Pratchett sadly passed away in 2015 from Alzheimer's disease, his large body of writing has solidified his literary legacy.

So where to start? There is little need to read the series in order, but with more than 40 novels in the Discworld series alone, and several other stand alone books, it can be difficult to know which stories to read first. The novels chosen for this list are not only those that are considered essentials, but are also those that are most mentioned among fans of the late fantasy writer. Basically, if you are looking to catch up on Pratchett's work without enough time to read every Discword offering out there, here is everything you need to know:

1. The Colour of Magic. This is the very first novel in the Discworld series, and while is it widely believed not to be one of Pratchett's best, it is the starting place for the entire series. It's also an easy read that will introduce you to both the imaginary world that the entire series takes place in, as well as several of the many recurring characters.

2. Mort. This is the fifth book in the series but will introduce you to the much loved and recurring character of Death. If this sounds scary, I assure you it's not. In fact, Death is quite a humorous character and quickly became a fan favorite. This novel even got its own film adaptation.

3. Wyrd Sisters. This is another book that also received the cinematic treatment, but the original novel should not be missed. It reintroduces the character of Granny Weatherwax, who first appears in Equal Rites, along with the other witches of Discworld that go on to feature prominently in other stories.

4. Going Postal. This is the 33rd novel in the Discworld series, but is often touted as one of the best. It breaks with the tradition of the other novels in the series in terms of formatting, but was shortlisted for several major literary awards.

5. Night Watch. This book, by far, seems to be the most mentioned and discussed in Discworld fan circles. Even longtime friend and fellow novelist, Neil Gaiman, once said that Night Watch was Pratchett's best. It is the 29th book in the series and revolves around the characters in the city watch. It's also recommended to read Guards! Guards! which is the first of the city watch books, and an excellent Discworld novel in its own right.

6. Good Omens. Okay, okay, so this isn't a Discworld novel, but it is one of Pratchett's most famous works of fiction. Co-written with novelist Neil Gaiman, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with a devoted cult following. The story follows an angel and demon who have become friends after centuries of life on Earth, but when the time comes to initiate the apocalypse, these friends find themselves on opposite sides of a (badly bungled) war. A popular television adaptation staring David Tennant and Michael Sheen, stayed true to the original story but left out much of the detail and charm of this beloved book.

And there you have it! These six books will offer an excellent starting point when approaching the prolific body of Pratchett's work. Whether you want to impress a fan or become one yourself, these novels will surely leave you looking for more. Happy reading!