I'd start with the 1980 book, for the 5 forces model of competition, and for generic strategies.
Here are some arguments *against* reading Competitive Stategy first (or at all):
- But he summarizes the 1980 book very well early on in the 1985 book, so you should start there.
- But he summarizes both these books very well in... etc.
- Porter's work is so prominent in strategy textbooks that there's no need to read the original.
- Porter's stuff isn't where it's at these days, dude.
Note that I am relating, not making, these arguments. If you are making a serious study of strategic management, you should read the 1980 book, or at least the first two chapters.

Carry on, Jeeves is: (1) the book in which Wooster meets Jeeves (2) a great collection. It's the only place to start!

Many, if not most, of David Lodge's novels are set in academia. Therefore I think it's best to start with one of these campus novels. In particular, I'd recommend Changing Places. My second choice as a starting point would be Small World, but that's something of a sequel to CP.
Lodge's best novel, in my opinion, is How Far Can You Go? That's a Catholic novel that starts on a campus, rather than a campus novel.
I've yet to read Author, Author but, however good it is, I don't think I'd recommend it as a Lodge entry point.