making the 2nd or later book in a series free

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I have a memory that my childhood boxed set of Narnia was numbered in internal chronological order, and I presumably read them in that order.

I can't speak to the reliability of that memory.

I still have the box set with the beautiful art deco covers (my favorite Narnia covers, some of my favorite book covers period). Those are numbered in release order.

A few years ago, when I took a part time job at B&N I saw they had been renumbered to internal order.

[PeterT]

I still have childhood memories of buying the Narnia paperbacks one at a time from the Children's Bookstore in Banbury (close to Banbury Cross). When I bought the final one I was heartbroken that I didn't have the lovely slip cover that the set would have come in. The bookstore very kindly gave me the slipcover

Unfortunately, this was lost in my house fire

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by PeterT

When I bought the final one I was heartbroken that I didn't have the lovely slip cover that the set would have come in. The bookstore very kindly gave me the slipcover

It's a heartwarming story.

Unfortunately, this was lost in my house fire

Ouch. If it makes you feel better, my box set was is a repurchase. My original is lost to the mists of time.

I lost my entire comic collection when a water pipe burst. I've (mostly) rebuilt that collection digitally.

This is the Narnia set that will forever be my definitive version of the books.

[PeterT]

I think mine were of this vintage --> https://www.abebooks.com/Lion-Witch-...31577544571/bd

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by PeterT

I think mine were of this vintage --> https://www.abebooks.com/Lion-Witch-...31577544571/bd

Mine, too, but since they were bought in 1966, that makes sense. The case has disintegrated and two books that people lost were replaced with the same editions. Possibly Prince Caspian was lost twice.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

It's a heartwarming story.

Ouch. If it makes you feel better, my box set was is a repurchase. My original is lost to the mists of time.

I lost my entire comic collection when a water pipe burst. I've (mostly) rebuilt that collection digitally.

This is the Narnia set that will forever be my definitive version of the books.

Those are the same ones I had. I read them to tatters.

Shari

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I suspect that anyone who has read the Discworld series or Pratchett's other books would notice the way he developed as a writer over the years.

This was precisely WHY I read them in publication order. The first couple are weaker, and seem almost "Douglas Adams lite", but seeing him find his voice and grow was an enjoyable part of the journey for me. BUT, I don't recommend that reading order to anyone unless they too are interested in the author's growth. Then again, my favourite and one of very few I've re-read is Small Gods so clearly I'm an outlier
#GNUTerryPratchett

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Not all the Discworld is in Chronological order, but the first two certainly aren't as good as later ones and do set the scene. Rincewind becomes a bit player.

All of Discworld was written in chronological order.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

This was precisely WHY I read them in publication order. The first couple are weaker, and seem almost "Douglas Adams lite", but seeing him find his voice and grow was an enjoyable part of the journey for me. BUT, I don't recommend that reading order to anyone unless they too are interested in the author's growth. Then again, my favourite and one of very few I've re-read is Small Gods so clearly I'm an outlier
#GNUTerryPratchett

First time readers of Discworld should read in published order (aka chronological) and then on rereads read in any order you want.

The thing is, you do have spoilers if you read out of order because while the main characters may be different, there are other characters and that includes the places as characters.

[WiseBooksIntl]

Originally Posted by hobnail

Why do you think authors do that? Do they think it'll make you buy the first book? I never read a series out of order so I'm certainly not going to start with the 2nd book.

Two reasons come to mind:

1. If Book 2 didn’t do well when it launched, the author might make it free hoping that readers who already read Book 1 but didn’t continue will now give the next one a shot.

2. Authors later bundle books 1–3 in a box set and make the first individual book unavailable or paid only, to drive traffic to the box set or increase read-through after book 2.

Totally get your point though. I’m like you, I never start mid-series either. It always puzzles me too when Book 1 isn’t the one being promoted.

[DNSB]

Personally, I've introduced several people to Discworld by recommending one of the arcs within the series. City Watch, Industrial Revolution and Witches for adults and Tiffany Aching for younger readers. After they've gotten started, most have gone back and read other books in the series. Some have gone back to The Colour of Magic and read onwards while others have skipped to other arcs in the series.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Personally, I've introduced several people to Discworld by recommending one of the arcs within the series. City Watch, Industrial Revolution and Witches for adults and Tiffany Aching for younger readers. After they've gotten started, most have gone back and read other books in the series. Some have gone back to The Colour of Magic and read onwards while others have skipped to other arcs in the series.

Thios is how I would do it - recommend specific arcs. In my case, I'd probably recommend the DEATH stories, as he is possibly my favourite fictional character - period.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Thios is how I would do it - recommend specific arcs. In my case, I'd probably recommend the DEATH stories, as he is possibly my favourite fictional character - period.

Favorite fictional character in the Discworld series, or all fiction?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Thios is how I would do it - recommend specific arcs. In my case, I'd probably recommend the DEATH stories, as he is possibly my favourite fictional character - period.

That's not how I'd do it. It would seriously spoil Discworld. I would say to read in published order which is the correct/best way to do it on a first read.

Any Discworld book with the Nac Mac Feegle I would recommend listening to the audiobook. It's just so much more enjoyable to hear the Nac Mac Feegle's speach being spoken then reading. The Nac Mac Feegle's speach is like a very heavy Scottish accent.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by John F

Favorite fictional character in the Discworld series, or all fiction?

Favourite recurring character in all fiction.