this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2024
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I started reading last year, mostly productivity stuff, but now I’m really looking to jump into fiction to unwind after a long week of uni, studying, and work. I need something to help me relax during the weekends without feeling like I’m working.

I’d love some recommendations for books that are short enough to finish in a day but still hit hard and are totally worth it. No specific genre preferences right now. I'm open to whatever. Looking forward to seeing what you guys suggest. Thank you very much in advance.

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[–] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 24 points 1 month ago (5 children)

Someone else already suggested it, but I would second Terry Pratchett. Even though most of the books are standalone, I recommend start with the Colour of Magic and follow publication order.

[–] papertowels@lemmy.one 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Another vote for Pratchett! I'm an economics fan, and making money happened to be my introduction, but there are far more common onramps.

My personal suggestion for getting a feel of Pratchett's writing these days is monstrous regiment - technically in the discworld series, but it's very standalone, so you get the flavor of the writing with little of the need for additional context.

[–] Makeitstop@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I have to ask, have you read Orconomics? It's a parody of fantasy, gaming, and economics. I recommend it to anyone who likes Pratchett, and especially if you're into the extremely specific niche of financial fantasy satire.

[–] papertowels@lemmy.one 2 points 1 month ago

Wife and I have both finished the book and absolutely loved it. Thanks again for the recommendation. Here's to books 2 and 3!

[–] papertowels@lemmy.one 2 points 1 month ago

I have not and I've now purchased the book - thanks for the recommendation!

[–] FordBeeblebrox@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago
[–] yyyesss@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

YES!! I started with Guards! Guards! and I am hooked!! They're all so good.

As the librarian would say, "Ook."

[–] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

If you read the first story (The colour of Magic + The light fantastic) you will know the story of the librarian, he start as a human there hahahah.

[–] naught101@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Pratchett himself did not recommend reading discworld in order. The first two books are by far the weakest of the series (although still very fun). There are guides that recommend starting points, like this:

[–] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I know there are several reading orders available depending on which stories you want to prioritize, but I like publication order because you can see him creating the world. As in you can usually see him writing some one liners that prompt some ideas which are fully explored in the next book, I don't remember any specific things but it's stuff like talking about Gods being as powerful as how many people believe in them right before small gods.

[–] naught101@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Yeah, that's a reasonable thing to do, for sure, but in general for introducing a new person to the disc world, I usually pick a book that aligns more with their interests