Weird question perhaps... I have seen the movies plenty of times, watched a lot of Clone Wars, I saw the monstrosities that were the Ewok flicks and the Droids cartoons, bit I have never really delved into the EU. Book wise what would be a good jump off point? The x-wing series? Or some comics? For the initiates among you, help me out?

Do mean books pertaining to the default time frame (Civil War), or to EU in general?

Anything... I once bought a book from a later series (the first one in said series) and couldn't understand what it was about gecause of the enormous amount of lacking background knowledge.

I hear the X-Wing books are excellent (or perhaps it was Rogue Squadron? I forget).

If you want the pillars of canon that the rest of the EU is built around, then you want to read the Thrawn Trilogy, Shadows of the Empire and the Jedi Academy trilogy, as most EU references stem from those, and most important galactic concepts are introduced there for the EU. Courtship of Princess Leia is also important for the introduction of the Dathomir witches and the Hapans, big parts of the EU.

However, if you want to just skip to some of the best reads, I highly reccomend the late A.C. Crispin's Han Solo trilogy, the Aaron Allston Wraith Squadron books, I also really enjoyed the Karen Traviss Fandalorian series of Clone Wars era novels, but you'll find a lot of differing opinions on her throughout the community.

Second for the Thrawn Trilogy, they were actually my first star wars read. I was so impressed that I quickly read all of Timothy Zahn's other books afterwords.

As i have read most of of the book and comics of star wars (before NJO came out) my one complaint of the Rouge Squadron (and Wraith Squadron) books is it based it's combat on the X-wing PC games. I also feel (and many would disagree) that Corran Horn was a Mary Sue type character.

With that aside...

Both Han Solo Trilogies are gems in the EU. The "Tales from" books (tales from Mos Eisley Cantina, Tales of the bounty hunters, Tales of Jabbas Palace) are also some great books that go outside of the main star was Protagonists.

Things for the tips! I will start of with the Thrawn Trilogy!

x3 about the Thrawn Trilogy. Also introduces my all time favorite Star Wars character.

the Thrawn Trilogy, Shadows of the Empire and the Jedi Academy trilogy, as most EU references stem from those, and most important galactic concepts are introduced there for the EU. Courtship of Princess Leia is also important for the introduction of the Dathomir witches and the Hapans, big parts of the EU.

and

Both Han Solo Trilogies are gems in the EU. The "Tales from" books (tales from Mos Eisley Cantina, Tales of the bounty hunters, Tales of Jabbas Palace) are also some great books that go outside of the main star was Protagonists.

Also, thanks for the heads up about what other series/books to read in the EU. I thankfully have Shadows of the Empire and book 1 of the Han Solo trilogy in my collection. Outside of that I didn't know where to go after Thrawn. And thanks for the info on the Tales of... books. I remember to empty my pockets the next time I hit up a book store. One other thing, is the Lando Calrissian book any good??

I also feel (and many would disagree) that Corran Horn was a Mary Sue type character.

Found this hilarious review of I, Jedi on Amazon if you haven't read it already

I would also recommend the Star Wars: Legacy comic book series. It has some excellent elements in there. Imperial Knights being one of my favorites.

Found this hilarious review of I, Jedi on Amazon if you haven't read it already

lol I am in the middle of the book now. I only read the first paragraph or so because I didn't want spoilers.

The lando books are sadly borderline undreadable. I mean, go to a library and read 20 pages, and see if its a good fit for you stylistically. You might like it if you enjoy the old Marvel Star Wars comic books....its more a product of that time.

The lando books are sadly borderline undreadable. I mean, go to a library and read 20 pages, and see if its a good fit for you stylistically. You might like it if you enjoy the old Marvel Star Wars comic books....its more a product of that time.

Really?! In what way are they unreadable?? And to be honest, I have generally stayed away from DC and Marvel comics so I don't really get what you mean there

Found this hilarious review of I, Jedi on Amazon if you haven't read it already

lol I am in the middle of the book now. I only read the first paragraph or so because I didn't want spoilers.

Well if you finish it anytime soon, go back a read the review and let me know if it's accurate.

I have read all Star Wars novels. You said you only have seen the movies and some cartoons so would recommend starting with these books:

The Han Solo trilogy

The Han Solo Adventures

Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn

The Truce at Bakura

The Courtship of Princess Leia

Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, a very fun book

The X-Wing series, read in order or you might get confused

The Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn

The Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson, some like them, some do not. This trilogy is quite over the top.

Timothy Zahn have also written Allegiance and Choices of One but you should not read these before you have read the Thrawn trilogy or else you lose some context on the female protagonist.

Do not read I, Jedi before you have read the X-wing series and Jedi Academy trilogy.

Of the novels based on computer games, Shadows of the Empire is the best.

These books happen during the original movie trilogy and a few years after and lays the background for all of the EU books that happens after.

Of the books that happens during the prequel trilogy the Republic Commando series by Karen Traviss is very good if you can handle the Jedi getting slandered.

The MedStar duology are good. Think Clone Troopers and M.A.S.H.

The New Jedi Order series is for hardcore Star Wars readers and some think the EU jumped the shark with the first volume (spoiler: a main character gets hit by a moon and dies). Do not read the Legacy series and the Fate of Jedi series before you read the New Jedi Order series. Read the Corellian trilogy and the Young Jedi Knights series before you read the New Jedi Order series.

Kenobi is good, stand-alone Star Wars novel.

Newer novels have a Star Wars novels timeline in the preface so you can see what happens when.

Wow, that was a very comprehensive reply which i have emailed to myself!

Thanks!

I've been reading Star Wars material since they first came out, and I'd say that, all in all, the adult books are often pretty mediocre. For my money, the YA novels and comics often capture the real Star Wars feel much better.

Having said that, the X-Wing series is among the best, and I love both Han Solo trilogies (although I love the classic one more). The old Lando books are also fun.

Even the Thrawn trilogy, which is admittedly well-written and features some fantastic characters, often feels to me more like "Lord of the Rings in space than it does Star Wars. Once novels get over 300 pages, they tend to lose the momentum of the movies.

I have read all Star Wars novels. You said you only have seen the movies and some cartoons so would recommend starting with these books:

The Han Solo trilogy

The Han Solo Adventures

Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn

The Truce at Bakura

The Courtship of Princess Leia

Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, a very fun book

The X-Wing series, read in order or you might get confused

The Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn

The Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson, some like them, some do not. This trilogy is quite over the top.

This a a great starter list, agree completely.

I did not see anyone suggest the obvious choice though... "Shadows of the Empire". It is basically the story between Empire and Jedi. It is one of my favorites.

Scroll down a bit and you'll notice I did mention Shadows of the Empire.

To begin, it all really depends on what sort of stuff you like. In my old Star Wars group, I had people reading all over the EU and claiming their favourites; what one player claimed was "the best" (The X-Wing series; oddly enough praised by the Force Sensitive Corellian Pilot) didn't jive well with another player (a huge fan of the Old Republic comics).

So if you like starfighter pilots, dogfights, and all that stuff, go right for the X-Wing novels (Rogue and Wraith Squadrons; read them in order!), as you don't need very much understanding of the EU to get into these. If you like comics with a smuggler-turned-Jedi feel, go for Legacy, but be prepared to get a little bit lost. If you are a huge fan of the Old Republic (like the Knights of the Old Republic games), then go into that series.

It really does boil down to taste, but you should find something good to work with just about everywhere.

Anyway, in short, here's what I'd suggest with the types of games I run and enjoy. A lot of these were mentioned and seconded (or thirded), so I will add the umpteenth to these (and add more):

The Han Solo Trilogy (the story behind everyone's favourite smuggler)

The novelizations of the classic films (trust me, they give a good number of extras that didn't make it in the films)

Shadows of the Empire (takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi)

Truce at Bakura (takes place right after the Battle of Endor)

The X-Wing Novels (The few comics I read aren't too bad, either)

The Courtship of Princess Leia (Leia gets married, Hapes and Dathomir are introduced; not bad all-in-all)

The Thrawn Trilogy (long, but WELL worth it)

The Jedi Academy Trilogy (a bit over the top, but lots of interesting stuff here)

The Callista Trilogy (Hutt with a Death Star? This could be good or REALLY bad for you)

The New Rebellion (the book that got me into the EU, honestly)

The Young Jedi Knights (YA series; easy reads, some good and bad)

Personally, I would highly suggest AVOIDING the New Jedi Order series.

The New Jedi Order series is for hardcore Star Wars readers and some think the EU jumped the shark with the first volume (spoiler: a main character gets hit by a moon and dies). Do not read the Legacy series and the Fate of Jedi series before you read the New Jedi Order series. Read the Corellian trilogy and the Young Jedi Knights series before you read the New Jedi Order series.

THIS is the exact reason why I stopped reading the EU; not because of killing a character with a moon, but rather the over-the-top foes they introduced to make it happen.

That said, some like them, some hate them.

As for the Legacy of the Force series. . .well, I'm not sure how to feel about it because I haven't gotten to that point.

Good luck and happy reading!

Scroll down a bit and you'll notice I did mention Shadows of the Empire.

/smacks forehead

Then I AGREE WITH YOU EVEN MORE Good sir!

So "Kenobi" is good... was thinking of that next or "Scoundrels"

Both of you seem down on New Order. I have not read that, though I know most major plot points. Is it really not very good? Or just a bit too "over the top"?

The lando books are sadly borderline undreadable. I mean, go to a library and read 20 pages, and see if its a good fit for you stylistically. You might like it if you enjoy the old Marvel Star Wars comic books....its more a product of that time.

Really?! In what way are they unreadable?? And to be honest, I have generally stayed away from DC and Marvel comics so I don't really get what you mean there

Found this hilarious review of I, Jedi on Amazon if you haven't read it already

lol I am in the middle of the book now. I only read the first paragraph or so because I didn't want spoilers.

Well if you finish it anytime soon, go back a read the review and let me know if it's accurate.

Well I am half way though. I dont think the person making the review was far off the mark, but a bit extreme in his views. The main character does seem to be the "best" at everything he does, but then again, this is a novel and no one wants to read about someone who is just another random person.

One thing that does make the story drag is it is completely in first person. Interesting at first, but could have been done a lot better. There is no side stories or multiple points of views.

The New Jedi Order is something people either love or hate. However, the main reason I wouldn't reccomend it as background for Edge of the Empire or Age of Rebellion is simply because the focus is on the antagonists of that story, the Vong. It doesn't provide much bang for the buck as far as adventure seeds or interesting characters to use in an Edge game.

However, if you wanted to run an entire NJO campaign, that could be very, very cool.

The New Jedi Order is something people either love or hate. However, the main reason I wouldn't reccomend it as background for Edge of the Empire or Age of Rebellion is simply because the focus is on the antagonists of that story, the Vong. It doesn't provide much bang for the buck as far as adventure seeds or interesting characters to use in an Edge game.

However, if you wanted to run an entire NJO campaign, that could be very, very cool.

Okay cool. Thanks for clarification. I never was so much into the Vong, but I really want to read the story of all the kids. Being a total SW Geek, I am sure I will probably be into them, lol.

I wouldn't be surprised the new movies might be this story, but tossing out the Vong bit... or changing it in some way. Those dudes might be a bit much for the kids.

Found this hilarious review of I, Jedi on Amazon if you haven't read it already

OMG this sounds like one of those Gaming Nightmare stories where the GM has a Player Character.

The Vong seem so generic to an outsider... Not at all a "Star Wars thing" to it.

The Lando books just have a very campy vibe, IMO. It's like watching the old Batman live action TV show, sort of. The are fun in their way, but I'm not sure the Starcave of Thonboka (a sort of save the space whales allegory) is the best of inspiration for Edge of the Empire. Still, if you dig it, go for it. However, if Lando is just your guy, then stick to Scoundrels, and the Corellian Trilogy, where Lando and Lobot feature prominantly exploring the Tjelkian Vagabond.