I have a podcast recording tomorrow, so of course, I did the sensible thing and spent half an hour today on notes for the next two episodes instead.

In times like these, I desperately recommend reading Terry Pratchett. It's an instant balm for my anxiety and depression with all the world's current events. Over the last few weeks, I've read 2-4 Discworld books a week, and it has significantly improved my mental health. #booksky #Discworld

Mundane Times

Some days, you just end up having 3 different conversations about the same subject. Such was the case today, and yes, I was talking about Discworld.

It's new episode time! Dermot Byrne returns to talk about the 16th Discworld novel, Soul Music. We discuss dated references, groanworthy puns, and Pratchett’s takes on education. Spotify bit.ly/4mHrhWh Amazon bit.ly/3UTRTHb Apple bit.ly/3I0vyVs

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Terry Pratchett's final masterpiece, 'The Shepherd's Crown.' To honour this milestone, we're sharing these poignant reflections from Rob Wilkins. 🔗📚 bit.ly/the-shepherd... #TerryPratchett #Discworld

@rhi.bsky.social posted a beautiful article about her father yesterday and I thought we could continue Sir Pterry lore by sharing the Oblivion mod he worked on. www.eurogamer.net/the-story-be...

One of the things with a Discworld re-read is that you get 16 books in and realise that you STILL haven't come across one of the regulars. Hex hasn't been named yet, and Mr Slant hasn't turned up either...

Emma Newman's Planetfall series is an incredible mix of very good sci-fi, well handled portrayals of mental health issues and anti-capitalist sentiment. Newman is going through a tough time health wise, so I highly recommend this series.

In this month's episode, Luke Jansen returns to discuss the 15th Discworld novel; Men at Arms. A book that goes from discussing prejudice and demagogues to jokes about inumerate polymaths and retrophrenology. Spotify bit.ly/4flEGjU Amazon amzn.to/3Ubz420 Apple bit.ly/4mKLUk3

One of my local antiques centres has a lot of second-hand books. It turns out that this includes almost an entire Discworld collection. I helped myself to 5 paperbacks just so that I can have every Josh Kirby cover for my collection to make it feel a bit more uniform.

Lords and Ladies is a book I love with my soul. It's hard to summarise why it works so well, but this episode dives into everything from Pratchett's riff on Tolkien's Elves to the many lives of Granny Weatherwax and some very, very silly humour. Loved it.

The Kirby Discworld covers aren't the perfect illustration of Discworld, but they are the perfect book covers, and I'm against anyone who has ever made the decision to change them

Episode 13 of Discworld Order is out now. Dermot Byrne joins Mark to talk about Lords and Ladies, as we discuss: Magrat's growth arc Pratchett's best fight scenes to date Recommending Adrian Tchaikovsky novels in Wembley stadium 🟢 bit.ly/4etPjAv 📦 bit.ly/44HtSJ1 🍎 bit.ly/4lt4T1z

A new addition to the dWo Discworld collection: A copy of Maskerade in Italian, purchased in Verona. Funny enough, the man at the ticket was also a Discworld fan.

There is one book that I fully expected to be recommended by a guest on the podcast before the end of Discworld Order. Well, the wait is over. If you're intrigued, tune in to episode 13 of dWo on Lords & Ladies when that comes out to find out what it is.

I love that in Lords and Ladies, Pratchett reduces the impact of a deus ex machina, but in the same book he also uses a much smaller deus ex banana.

It feels fitting that I'm putting off the notes for Granny and Magrat for last while writing up my Lords and Ladies notes. It definitely feels like I'm going to miss something there. Then again, there's a lot to get your teeth into.

This is a good podcast about one of my favourite Discworld books and I'd suggest listening to it if you're a fan of Terry Pratchett's Discworld. If you aren't a fan of Discworld I would suggest becoming one.

Episode 12 of Discworld Order is here! Cam Pollard joins us to talk about her favourite Discworld novel, Small Gods. We discuss God vs religion, creative choices, echo chambers, Douglas Adam's Mostly Harmless & Emperor Hadrian's boyfriend. 🟢 bit.ly/4kin8ql 📦 amzn.to/3Z6VvYX 🍎 bit.ly/3T1Tqdf

There was one thing that I forgot to mention in the Witches Abroad episode of Discworld Order. It's actually one of the biggest bits of Granny Weatherwax lore in the book. It's the scene where Lilith and Granny are both trapped in the mirror. 1/

Discworld 34 - Thud! That's not my cow! @rhi.bsky.social @discworldofficial.bsky.social #Discworld

Just updated my Pratchett collection. Dodger & Nation will replace copies I loaned out. Night Watch is for the dust jacket, and I've never read A blink of the screen.

Episode 11 of DiscWorld Order is out now. I'm joined by Nic Golding as we discuss the 12th Discworld novel, Witches Abroad. A lovely chat about the Discworld from a newer fan’s perspective, including why Witches Abroad is her favourite. 🟢 bit.ly/4lTKHqM 📦 bit.ly/3YllStN 🍎 bit.ly/3YUd2Ds

Considering the podcast name and the fact that so many of the guests are people who I know through wrestling, I find it funny that one of the prophets in Small Gods (published in 1992) is called Cena.

Until I listened to this today, I'd entirely forgotten there even *was* a B-plot in Reaper Man. This episode really nails why it works as a Death book and why it's not quite as successful as anything else. A great time revisiting Bill Door and Miss Flitwick.

Getting ready for the Witches Abroad episode, and it's the first of two Pratchett Books that I got signed. Do YOU have any signed Pratchett books? Any memories from a Terry Pratchett signing?

Episode 10 of DiscWorld Order is out early as Patrick W Reed (patrickwreed.bsky.social) returns to discuss Reaper Man. We talk about one of the most sentimental adiscworld books, with possibly the silliest B plot in the canon. Spotify bit.ly/4hZrCAr Amazon bit.ly/3QYJMXX

Elsewhere in podcast world, I'm back on DiscWorld Order to talk about Reaper Man. I really enjoyed chatting to Mark about this book, and just having the chance to revisit it after at least 25 years since I last read it, I hope you'll enjoy listening to it just as much. 💀🌽

Episode 10 of DiscWorld Order is out early as Patrick W Reed (patrickwreed.bsky.social) returns to discuss Reaper Man. We talk about one of the most sentimental adiscworld books, with possibly the silliest B plot in the canon. Spotify bit.ly/4hZrCAr Amazon bit.ly/3QYJMXX

GNU

New essay in @tansyrr.bsky.social's Pratchett's Men series: just why are wizards meant to be celibate? Several reasons are given, not all of which make sense... Read now! Share widely! www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/celib... #pratchett #discworld

Discworld calendar - March 2004 The Witches by Sandy Nightingale. A great picture of an early scene in Wyrd Sisters, very lovely. It seems like Nanny is full of the joys of spring and Magrat is learning more than she ever wanted to know about hedgehogs.

Do you want to hear two people praising Pratchett's jokes, turn of phrase, and apparent hatred for Hollywood powerbrokers and management? Well, then this episode is probably well worth a listen.

To the great shock of many, I do have interests beyond WCW. One of them is a deep affection for Terry Pratchett. Very much enjoyed my chance to talk banged grains, clicks and the hubris of alchemists on DWO

Episode 9 of DiscWorld Order is out now. Movie enthusiast and (for some reason) WCW fan Dave Ryan (@thedaytodave.bsky.social) joins me to talk about Moving Pictures. Expect a LOT of movie references in this one. Spotify bit.ly/3EWI9qQ Amazon bit.ly/4bFyAJr Apple bit.ly/4hWZtdW

@discworldorder.bsky.social I'm not sure how many American listeners you've got, but I just got an email that a bunch of Discworld novels are on sale for $1.99. www.amazon.com/b?node=46350...

I'm making notes for the Moving Pictures episode of the podcast and Pratchett's descriptions & turn of phrase are SO good in this book. It's not that it's better than a lot of other books, you forget that he could just rely on it even in books without the strongest main characters.

Episode 8 of DiscWorld Order is out now. I'm joined by Liam Byrne as we discuss the 9th Discworld novel, Eric. We talk about the benefits of short novels, starting the series as a new reader & why there are 2 versions of Eric. Spotify bit.ly/4aGfHVY Amazon bit.ly/4hihkLY Apple bit.ly/3WJYIwb

While having a sort out, I stumbled across these Jolly Sailor trading cards, which came with the UK hardback release of Unseen Academicals. Does anyone else still have any of these, or any other Discworld knick knacks/memorabilia?

The next episode of Discworld Order is on Eric, the 1st of the 2 Discworld illustrated novels. Although more people have probably read the version WITHOUT Josh Kirby's illustrations. So, do you have a favourite Josh Kirby Discworld cover?

Since we've gotten a few followers on here, I might as well ask a question: Can you remember what was your first Discworld novel was?

It's time for episode 7 of Discworld Order. Stuart Iversen (@iversen83.bsky.social) joins me to discuss Guards! Guards! We discuss why this book might be the quintessential Discworld novel and where Pratchett has hit his stride. 🟢 bit.ly/40huWBp 🛒bit.ly/4gCMv4j 🍎 bit.ly/3BUyArj

Thank you for anyone who happens to be listening to the podcast on New Year's Eve. Check your feed for the next episode, which is slightly early if you need some listening material before the clock strikes midnight. I mean, you can also listen to it after midnight if you want.

If you had to give a child a "gift" like the coven did for Tomjon in Wyrd Sisters, what would you choose?

So I was flicking through the comic adaptation of The Light Fantastic and I've only just realised that they completely removed Trymon in the comic. A choice that makes sense in terms of flow and page count, but removes one of the original books only themes.

Have you seen or performed a Discworld play? If so, then let us know. The only one that I've see was this production of The Truth, from 15 years ago.

Episode 6 of DiscWorld Order is out now. I'm joined by George Twigg from @puropodcast.bsky.social as we discuss Pyramids. We talk Pratchett's choices, ancient Egyptian history, fantasy from different perspectives & ... Commando? Spotify bit.ly/3AVIgl5 Amazon bit.ly/4fOKZfi Apple bit.ly/41dPMm2

Episode 6 of DiscWorld Order is out now. I'm joined by George Twigg from @puropodcast.bsky.social as we discuss Pyramids. We talk Pratchett's choices, ancient Egyptian history, fantasy from different perspectives & ... Commando? Spotify bit.ly/3AVIgl5 Amazon bit.ly/4fOKZfi Apple bit.ly/41dPMm2

Episode 6 of discWorld order is coming out soon (very soon). Legally I am obligated to warn people that I make multiple puns in this episode. My sense of humour was shaped by Discworld, The Goon Show, Airplane!, and Police Squad. You have been warned.