Any suggestions for Star Wars novels?

[RandySF]

I'm feeling the Force with the upcoming "Force Awakens" Can anyone name some favorite novels that are part of the canon? Thanks.

[onehandle]

1. Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster.

It was supposed to be a virtual script for the second film, but Lucas (back when he still had talent) abandoned it for a more 'spiritual' and romantic sequel.

Regardless, although it may no longer be canon, it is the arguably the most influential Star Wars novel.

The only book I ever lined up for to buy upon release in 1978 (until my my wife made me line up with her for one of the Harry Potter books, which one I cannot remember).

[Aristus]

2. I was never that crazy about it.

I thought it was much more poorly written than Foster's ghosting of the Star Wars novelization.

And the Luke-Leia sexual tension written before Lucas decided they were brother and sister is just kinda creepy now.

The most realistic, and disheartening, part of the story was the Empire's racist, demeaning treatment of the native Mimbanians. We saw an awful lot of that during the Vietnam War...

[onehandle]

6. It is weird. Has concepts that made it into other Star Wars vehicles...

...and some that did not.

Later, Lucas used the bad ones, almost strictly.

[NewJeffCT]

4. I read that so long ago

I couldn't tell you a thing about it, other than liking it at the time.

However, I know they're been a whole industry of Star Wars novels that have come out since the prequels started in the late 90s. (Hard to believe Phantom Menace was 1999 - 16 years ago.)

I'd suggest going to amazon.com and searching on Star Wars novels and sorting by average review and choose some of the better reviewed ones.

[cemaphonic]

3. The only ones I've ever read that weren't total crap were the Timothy Zahn ones.

Granted, it's been at least 15 years since I attempted one. No longer canon though, as they take place a few years after the end of ROTJ, which is probably the case for just about every Star Wars novel.

If you do video games, the old "Knights of the Old Republic" is good both as an RPG and a Star Wars story. The sequel was rushed and inferior, but it does have one of the most interesting characters in the entire SW universe.

[NobodyHere]

8. +1

[GOLGO 13]

5. DEATH TROOPERS is a favorite of mine.

If the idea of zombie Storm Troopers running amok in the SW universe entices you, then get a copy.

[NobodyHere]

7. The books were never really part of the canon

This is especially true since Disney bought Star Wars and wanted to give the writers of episode VII full freedom to do whatever they wanted with the characters.

[bench scientist]

9. Tales of the Bounty Hunters

Tales of the Bounty Hunters is an anthology of five short stories about the bounty hunters hunting Han Solo in ESB: IG-88, Bossk, Dengar, Zuckuss and 4-LOM and of course Boba Fett.
Gives all their back stories, quick fun read.