Discworld fans, help me out a bit, please.

[aviax]

A year or two ago, I was introduced to this indescribably funny series. I have since read three books, and have discovered that they by coincidence are all about the city watch (Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, and Jingo). At had thought that the watch always played a central role in all the books, but someone pointed out to me that this was not the case. Since I've grown to love Vimes, Detritus, Angua, Nobby, and Colon...

...can anyone help me out by telling me which other books in the series feature the Watch, either as main characters or in a major supporting role? I's like to read these before branching out.

...does Vetinari feature majorly in non-Watch books?

...if not the Watch storyline, which storyline do you like the best and why?

...which character would you most like to meet/hang out with in real life? For my part, it would be Vimes, Angua, or Vetinari.

...please share a favorite quote, if you wish.

Here's mine:

"Give a man a fire and he's warm for a night, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life."
- Solid Jackson, from Jingo

[Agent_Embryo]

I believe that they are the central of those books only. They do however figure in other books as well. I can't remember which ones tho, since I have read most of the books.

I can recommend reading The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic (the two first Discworld books), since they feature another of the great characters of the world, namely Rincewind, the worlds worst magician who against his will always gets caught up in adventure. The books about the witches are also great. In fact, read all the books. Some are better than others, but they are all great.

[Knothead]

Theophylact has been trying to turn me on to this series...

When he gets here, he'll straighten ya out, Aviax!

[kjg]

There is a new book (well new here!) about the nightwatch called night watch, also Guards!Guards! is nightwatch and The Fifth Elephant.
As for the other books:
Rincewind as main character - Colour of Magic, The light Fantastic, Sourcery, Eric, Interesting Times, The Last Continent.
Death as leading character - Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather.
Witches as main character - Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad.

I have read all the nightwatch, Rincewind and Death books and they are all brilliantly funny, so read all of them. I have only read equal rites and it was good but I preferred the others

Of the other books I would highly recommend these: Pyramids and Small Gods as both are also excellent.

For more info: http://www.ufbs.co.uk/dwm/

[Agent_Embryo]

You forgot about one Witch book, "Lords and Ladies".

[Theophylact]

I've now read almost all of the books . Haven't read the new hardcover, Night Watch; haven't read Equal Rites; haven't read the collaboration Eric ; haven't reread The Colour of Magic, Sourcery or Mort since the late 80s. But I have all the others at home, including his wonderful kid's book, The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents.

Vetinari figures in a rather large number of them, often in a minor role.

The incompetent but indestructible Rincewind is, literally, all over the map (and, in Sourcery, off the edge as well).

Granny Weatherwax is mostly in Lancre, but makes it as far as Ankh-Morpork in Maskerade, and even further in Witches Abroad.

Death is (unsurprisingly) everywhere, speaking as always IN UPPERCASE.

[aviax]

Sorry, guys. Was a bit busy over the past few days...

Just wanted to say thanks to all, especially Theo.

To those who have never read a Discworld book: I think he's the funniest writer I've ever read! He might even be better than (warning: blasphemy approaching) Douglas Adams or S. Morgenstern (The Princess Bride). He's both absurd and very clever; and the books he writes make for blazingly fast reads. Give him a shot.

[Theophylact]

I'm now most of the way through Equal Rites. This is Granny Weatherwax's first trip out of Lancre; she does get to Ankh-Morpork (which, by the way, seems to be a version of the late, great Fritz Leiber's "Lankhmar").

I believe he's the funniest writer of English prose since P. G. Wodehouse. Maybe even funnier.

[aviax]

Now that truly approaches blashpemy...

...yet I'm inclined to agree!