In my opinion, starting with the main quests in Velen like 'The Bloody Baron' is a great start. It sets the tone and introduces important characters. Then move on to some of the related side quests in the area that expand on the story and characters you've met. After that, head to Skellige and follow the main quests there which often have a more epic and mythical feel.
One good strategy is to follow the critical path of the main quests in the order they are presented. This will keep you on track with the overarching story. After that, you can go back and do the side quests in each area you've visited. For example, after finishing the main quests in Velen, do all the side quests there before moving on to the next area.
A good order to start is with 'The Last Wish' as it contains short stories that introduce Geralt and the world of the Witcher. Then move on to 'Sword of Destiny'. After that, you can follow the main saga in the order of publication, which gives a chronological flow of the story and helps in understanding Geralt's character development and the complex political and magical landscapes of the Witcher universe.
The Witcher novels are ordered in a way that first gives you a taste of Geralt's adventures through 'The Last Wish' and 'Sword of Destiny' with their short story formats. 'The Last Wish' sets the stage, showing us Geralt's nature and some of the key relationships. 'Sword of Destiny' expands on this. Then the series dives into the more continuous saga with 'Blood of Elves' and subsequent books like 'Time of Contempt' where the political and magical turmoil in the world of the Witcher deepens. 'Baptism of Fire' continues the character development and the overarching plot, followed by 'The Tower of Swallows' which moves the story forward, and finally 'The Lady of the Lake' which concludes the main narrative arc.
Yes, the recommended reading order is as follows: start with 'The Last Wish' and then 'Sword of Destiny' for the short story collections that introduce the world and characters. After that, move on to 'Blood of Elves' and continue through the rest of the saga in sequence: 'Time of Contempt', 'Baptism of Fire', 'The Tower of Swallows', and 'The Lady of the Lake'.
In my opinion, the story of Geralt and Ciri's reunion is one of the best. It shows the deep bond between them. Geralt has been searching for Ciri throughout the land, facing numerous dangers. When they finally meet, it's a very emotional moment filled with relief and love.