Here's the recommended reading order, keeping in mind the chronology of the events:
Main Series:
1. The White Dragon (1982): This is the first book in the series and introduces us to the main characters and the world of Pern.
2. The Dragon Riders of Pern (1982): This is a prequel to the main series, taking place several generations before *The White Dragon*. It follows the founding of the Dragon Riders and their first encounter with Thread.
3. Dragonsong (1982): This is the second book in the main series, set 150 years after *The White Dragon* and focusing on Lessa's journey to become a dragonrider.
4. Dragonsinger (1983): The third book, continuing Lessa's story and exploring the growing threat of Thread.
5. Dragondrums (1984): The fourth book, following F'lar and Lessa as they face the challenges of leading Pern and battling Thread.
Side Stories and Prequels:
* The Renegades of Pern (1988): This book is set around the time of *Dragonsong* and *Dragonsinger* and tells the story of a group of riders who rebel against the Weyr.
* The Dolphins of Pern (1989): Set during the time of the original trilogy, this book explores a different aspect of Pernas life, focusing on the underwater creatures.
* The Skies of Pern (1989): This book is another prequel, set about 100 years after *The Dragon Riders of Pern*, exploring the lives of the early Dragon Riders and their struggles to establish themselves on Pern.
* The People of Pern (1995): A prequel set 100 years after *The Dragon Riders of Pern*, it explores the early settlement of Pern, focusing on the humans and their interactions with the dragons.
Later Series:
* The Dragonriders of Pern: The Lost Dragons of Pern (1998): This is the first book in a new series, set hundreds of years after the main series and focusing on the aftermath of Threadfall and the discovery of new dragon species.
* The Dragonriders of Pern: The Dragons of Pern (2002): The second book in this series, continuing the story of the new dragon species and their role in Pern's future.
* The Dragonriders of Pern: Dragon's Dawn (2004): A prequel set thousands of years before the events of *The Dragon Riders of Pern*, this book tells the origin story of the dragons and their arrival on Pern.
* The Dragonriders of Pern: Menolly's Bird (2008): This is a novella, set in between *The White Dragon* and *Dragonsong*, that provides a more detailed look at Menolly's life as a Harper.
* The Dragonriders of Pern: The Search for the Dragon Riders (2010): This book is a sequel to the *Lost Dragons* series, exploring the search for the missing dragonriders and their connection to the ancient history of Pern.
Important Note: While this order makes the most sense chronologically, you can still enjoy the series if you read the books in publication order. However, you might encounter some spoilers for later events or be confused about the timeline.