I'm not a huge Star Wars buff, I'm also not a huge reader (except graphic novels), but I do like to know the story around what I'm playing.

So what should my essential reading be. I would quite like to know about Soontir Fel, and also about Rogue squadron, especially around the Bacta War period.

The X-Wing series is quite good. I re-read them all last spring after I got into the game. They draw heavily from the X-Wing video games, even having the pilots flying some of the game missions in the simulators.

Soontir Fel does appear, but only briefly. I believe most of his appearances were in the comics, and I haven't read those.

Dark horse comics' omnibus x-wing rogue squadron volume 1-3

They take place after episode VI.

And the new Dark Horse Comics star wars. They are currently on issue #9. They take place between episode IV and V.

Read the Thrawn trilogy. It's important.

I agree with all of the above.

Another good resource is The New Essential Chronology. It takes every movie, novel, comic, video game etc. (up till 2005) and provides a synopsis of the story arc. It will help you fill in the gaps without having to wade through all the different sources. Most of what your looking for should be included. It has good artwork too.

Also, the first Crimson Empire is great and gets you up to speed on Kir Kanos & Carnor Jax.

Read the Thrawn trilogy. It's important.

that is where I am heading after i finish the Han Solo trilogy. I started that beacuse of the movie spin-off rumors that have been flying around the fan sites.