Terry Pratchett and the Discworld novels

Terry Pratchett invented a whole new world in the Multiverse. It's disc-shaped, and it's in the backs of four giant elephants who in turn are on the back of a huge turtle, A'Tuin. Magic is very strong there. Wizards graduate from Unseen University in the capital, Ankh-Morpork. Witches such as Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax harness the magic in more everyday ways. The early books feature a wizard called Rincewind, and The Luggage, made of sapient pearwood. Don't cross it - it might swallow you up and you'll never be seen again.

The Librarian at Unseen University is an orangutan (he got changed by a stray spell, and found it useful for getting around and reaching the high shelves. DON'T call him a monkey!

Basically, the Discworld is Earth with a twist. Leonard of Quirm is the local equivalent of Leonardo Da Vinci, Trolls, Dwarves, Vampoires, Werewolves and all manner of non-people...er...people its lands. It's incredibly inventive and very funny. People all over the world read it in their tens of millions in all sorts of translations. YOU CAN READ IT IN THE ORIGINAL ENGLISH! Start at the beginning with The Colour of Magic, and don't miss Equal Rites. The eighth son of an eighth son is born a wizard, and the staff entitling the bearer to an education at Unseen University is handed over before there's been a check - and of course it's a girl.

Death is a character in himself, with his horse, Binky. He speaks in capitals, but only the dead can hear him.

If I never do anything else, I'll have done a great service if I convert just one of you to the works of this talented and very funny writer.

Next stop The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.