For some time I’ve wanted to read all the Discworld books in order. I’ve read a few already from the Tiffany Aching series but never quite gathered the momentum to start the series from the beginning and work my way through the lot (in spite of lots of blogger friends recommending their personal favourites).  Then I got talking to a fellow blogger, Louise over at Lou’s Book Stuff (be sure to check out her lovely blog) and, likewise, she also wants to work her way around the Discworld.  So, we came up with a plan to nudge ourselves in the right direction and also to encourage each other to go adventuring and so ‘Around the Discworld in 41 Months’ was born.  As titles go, it’s a little bit of a mouthful but at the same time it feels oddly ‘Pratchett-appropriate’.

Unlike Phileas Fogg we’re not attempting to travel the Discworld at breakneck speed, instead, like the turtle above, this is going to be a very chilled, none-challenge like endeavour.  I find over ambitious plans usually take the route of failure on my part, and sometimes life has other plans for us, so we’re only intending to read one book a month and yes that does mean it’s going to be a rather long trip.  So, we’ve packed our trunks and worked out a travel plan.

Starting on the 1st April we’re going to pick up one book a month until the series is complete.  The aim is to review each book towards the end of the month and compare our thoughts.  Very simple, no stress.  We’re planning on reading the series in chronological order rather than by theme because we want to discover the world in the same way Pratchett wrote it.  If, like us, this is a journey you’ve always fancied making but kept putting off, and you want to join in, then all are most welcome.

The first book in the series is The Colour of Magic and here’s the description  together with one of the many available covers:

Somewhere on the frontier between thought and reality exists the Discworld, a parallel time and place which might sound and smell like our own, but which looks completely different. Particularly as it’s carried through space on the back of a giant turtle (sex unknown).

If you’re new to the Discworld don’t worry, you’re not alone . . . Twoflower is the Discworld’s first tourist, he’s exceptionally naive and about to get himself into an array of dangerous and fantastical situations on his travels.

And if that didn’t sound fateful enough, it’s the spectacularly inept wizard, Rincewind who is charged with safely chaperoning Twoflower and his Luggage (a walking suitcase that has half a mind of its own and a homicidal attitude to anything threatening) during his visit.

Safe to say chaos ensues…

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Colour of Magic is the first Discworld book. It is also the starting point in the Wizards collection, followed by The Light Fantastic.