Normally, so would I (big stickler for chronological reading), but if you're not sure you'll like Pratchett, ami, then starting with Equal Rites or Mort is a bigger incentive to continue (in order then).
My recommendation would be to start with the Watch novels. They were what hooked me on Discworld - I enjoyed the others, but with these I fell in love.
Dragonflight Dragonquest Drangonsong Dragonsinger Dragondrums The White Dragon Dragonsdawn Renegades of Pern All the Weyrs of Pern The Dolphins of Pern
I stopped reading there, but I think there might be more set after The Dolphins of Pern.
There are also a few books that can be read at any point (Nerika's Story, Moreta: Dragonlady Of Pern), but I'd wait until you've finished Dragondrums at least.
BTW, most guides tell you to read The White Dragon before the Harper Hall trilogy. DON'T! There's tons of spoilers for Dragonsong and Dragondrums in The White Dragon.
Oh it's on the list, but being a series I don't own at ALL it'll be slower to read or further down on the list. I think I snagged the two cordelia books (right 'verse right) so I'll start there. But there won't be a similar glut because other series that are numbered well are already on their way and/or easier to snag in a bookstore.
But hence, why I asked for the lists. I have heard many good things about this 'verse but I wanted to read it in the right order! *G*
That's a good place to start. Chronologically, they're the first in the series, except for Falling Free, which is peripheral: set in the same universe, but about 400 years earlier, and featuring none of the characters (obviously).
The list of Darkover books is here. I've looked down it and it *looks* pretty accurate. The problem with Darkover chronology, as you will see once you read the list, is that MZB rewrote a lot of her early stuff. Mostly I think it's for the better, but it makes it bloody confusing :) Personally I've read down to City of Sorcery or so, but haven't read any of the short story stuff.
Certain series within series should be read in order e.g Heritage of Hastur/Sharra's Exile/Reluctant King but otherwise, if you do read some out of historical order, it probably won't matter *that* much.
It might be a good idea to read at least Thendara House before Heritage of Hastur to get a basic idea of the politics and history behind everything.
The earlier books deal with earlier history which is occasionally nice to know but not really necessary to know and sometimes even confusing as there are sometimes several hundred years between the happenings in some books and also political, social and technological jumps.
I started with Heritage of Hastur which I consider one of her better books and then read the others relatively out of order and never had a problem with it.
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Dragonflight
Dragonquest
Drangonsong
Dragonsinger
Dragondrums
The White Dragon
Dragonsdawn
Renegades of Pern
All the Weyrs of Pern
The Dolphins of Pern
I stopped reading there, but I think there might be more set after The Dolphins of Pern.
There are also a few books that can be read at any point (Nerika's Story, Moreta: Dragonlady Of Pern), but I'd wait until you've finished Dragondrums at least.
BTW, most guides tell you to read The White Dragon before the Harper Hall trilogy. DON'T! There's tons of spoilers for Dragonsong and Dragondrums in The White Dragon.
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Sister shoved all of her pern at me before she moved out of mom and dad's. That was um.. 10ish years ago. I think it's time to reeeads them.
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*G* Thanks!
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I don't know if you like Bujold, but in case you like Miles Vorkosigan and space opera...
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But hence, why I asked for the lists. I have heard many good things about this 'verse but I wanted to read it in the right order! *G*
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It has EVERY BOOK. I SWEAR!! :D
Good luck!
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Certain series within series should be read in order e.g Heritage of Hastur/Sharra's Exile/Reluctant King but otherwise, if you do read some out of historical order, it probably won't matter *that* much.
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It might be a good idea to read at least Thendara House before Heritage of Hastur to get a basic idea of the politics and history behind everything.
The earlier books deal with earlier history which is occasionally nice to know but not really necessary to know and sometimes even confusing as there are sometimes several hundred years between the happenings in some books and also political, social and technological jumps.
I started with Heritage of Hastur which I consider one of her better books and then read the others relatively out of order and never had a problem with it.
Just my humble opinion :-)
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