Forums > Knowledge Bank archive > I've seen and love the movies, but I've never read any of the books. Which should I start with?
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I have been a fan of the movies since 1977 when I was 10. For no good reason, I have never read any of the books associated with the larger Star Wars universe. Which of the series should I start with? I am particularly interested in reading them in some sort of chronological order. However I am open to hearing what others who know more than I suggest.
- See Timeline of adult novels for a chronological list. You've taken your first step into a larger world... ;) Adamwankenobi 02:32, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- Technically, this may be off-topic for this forum (it's supposed to be
for discussing this wiki rather than Star Wars in generallooking for facts rather than opinions). But if you follow the links in the Jedi Council Forums article, there should be a thread in the Literature forum there titled something like "What should I read next"? Also, personally, I'd suggest the Brian Daley or A. C. Crispin Han Solo books. Cheers, —Silly Dan (talk) 02:43, 1 May 2007 (UTC)- Yeah, start with The Paradise Snare. Not only is it a good starting point (Han's background), it's also part of one of my favorite trilogies :-) --Azizlight 03:07, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- That's good idea. I jumped around some til after the JA books. Also, if you start with the HS Trilogy, read the Han Solo Adventures during or right after Rebel Dawn. It'd help to read the Lando Adventures after that too. -Fnlayson 03:23, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- I'm personally of the opinion that in-universe chronological order is not necessarily the best way to go. Instead, I'd start with The Thrawn Trilogy instead. jSarek 07:35, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- I suggest you start with Shadows of the Empire. It best captures the spirit of the original trilogy if you ask me. Adamwankenobi 07:40, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- I suggest starting with Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Because it's also a movie, try picturing it in your head as you read. This will help you get a better feel of it, and makes the book even more enjoyable. Once you're able to do this, you can apply it to the other books, making it like you're watching movies in your head.71.225.213.147 20:10, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- I suggest you start with Shadows of the Empire. It best captures the spirit of the original trilogy if you ask me. Adamwankenobi 07:40, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- Cloak of Deception or the Thrawn trilogy. Kuralyov 20:14, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- Shadows of the Empire, simply because it's slap bang in the not-quite-middle of the Original Trilogy, and therefore has many of the familiar characters in familiar states of mind. And Vader's well written to boot; a rarity in the EU. Thefourdotelipsis 23:22, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- Shadows of the Empire first, then the Thrawn Trilogy. Just, whatever you do, don't read the Crystal Star if you can avoid it. If you can't, hold off until you read other things. Jorrel
Fraajic 15:29, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
- I'd say the Thrawn trilogy, but Shadows of the Empire and the Han Solo trilogy are good suggestions too. As is avoiding the Crystal Star. Green Tentacle (Talk) 15:32, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
- Shadows of the Empire first, then the Thrawn Trilogy. Just, whatever you do, don't read the Crystal Star if you can avoid it. If you can't, hold off until you read other things. Jorrel
- Shadows of the Empire, simply because it's slap bang in the not-quite-middle of the Original Trilogy, and therefore has many of the familiar characters in familiar states of mind. And Vader's well written to boot; a rarity in the EU. Thefourdotelipsis 23:22, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
- I'd say read the Thrawn Trilogy. If you read nothing else after that, read the rest of Zahn's works. I was able to go straight from Survivor's Quest into the NJO with only a few problems. But Thrawn is a must. It's the closest we'll ever get to Episodes VII, VIII, & IX. Din's Fire 997 19:54, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
- I always recommend the Dark Forces novellas, because they're fairly easy to read, fast-paced and action-packed. I'd also recommend the Tales... anthologies, especially those that collect short stories from Star Wars Adventure Journal. If you want a "real" novel, Shadows of the Empire is a good place to start. KEJ 19:59, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
read either Shadows of the Empire or Labyrinth of Evil. Anzati02 19:15, 3 May 2007 (UTC)
- ROTS novel, Labyrinth of Evil, Outbound Flight, and Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina are great. That will help you determine if you EU related to the movies, or just EU (like the New Jedi Order). I favor EU that connects to the films (like more than the NJO or Dark Nest). Chack Jadson 19:38, 3 May 2007 (UTC)
- The best SW book is probably I, Jedi, but it's not that good to begin with, since you need some background material to understand it (Jedi Academy Trilogy, and maybe the first four X-Wing books as well, or at least The Bacta War). But if you stick with the EU, don't miss it! Evir Daal 12:11, 4 May 2007 (UTC)
- ROTS novel, Labyrinth of Evil, Outbound Flight, and Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina are great. That will help you determine if you EU related to the movies, or just EU (like the New Jedi Order). I favor EU that connects to the films (like more than the NJO or Dark Nest). Chack Jadson 19:38, 3 May 2007 (UTC)