[jbcohen]

I am considering reading some of the novels. Where do I start? and what is a good web site about the novels to help guide me in my reading?

[Shehzad]

Well, JBC, ther best possible place to start is Timothy Zahn's epic series:
Dark Forces Rising
Heir to the Empire
The Last Command

Other than that, there's very little of literary merit in the Star Wars universe. I'd suggest you go out and read Asimov--thats much better than skiffy SF... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Dominus]

One of my favorite authors in the Star Wars world is Michael A. Stackpole. He uses one of my favorite characters (Corran Horn) in most of his books, though he was created by Zahn. I would recommend his X-Wing series, or his standalone I, Jedi.

Respondi

[Cauthon]

I have the same problem I am a Star Wars fan, but, I have no idea where to start reading.....

[Sammie]

explain 'skiffy' - i appreciate that its derogatory, but ummm, is this a real word?

[Shehzad]

Dominus--agreed about Stackpole. I would have suggested him as a second option to Zahn.

Sammie--don't know whether its a real word, but Gabe/neologik uses it all the time, and I kinda like it... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[mundanemies]

"Skiffy" is the accepted and "proper" way to say "Sci-fi" by the SF-community aka. fandom.

It goes back to days of yore, when Forrest Ackerman ie. Mr. "SF" coined the term "Sci-Fi" to replace older forms like "scientification" or "Science Fiction". It rhymes with "Hi-Fi" and though it's nowadays very commonly used, it was never accepted by the more Fannish part of the fandom and thus to some "Sci-Fi" still has derogative meaning. It was considered somewhat "mundane" to use "Sci-Fi" when talking about science fiction among fandom some time ago. I would think that the times have changed a bit, but I'm sure that there are still plenty of SF-fans, who "scorn" people using "Sci-Fi".

"Skiffy" was coined some time later and was used by the "Sci-Fi" -scorning part of the fandom (Fun Fact: "Sci-Fi" pronounced in Finnish is pretty much "Skiffy"!!!)

Then again, Gabe/neologik may have other reasons to use the term "skiffy" http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[MrSquiddy]

I though that the Truce at Bakura was quite a good read, also Shadows of the Empire, I liked this also.

I've read the X-Wing series, but as soon as you hit 'Wraith Squadron' i believe that is the 5th book in the series, it goes downhill from there..

The major problem with Star Wars books i found was the lack of consistency in authors, Stackpole, I thought, was quite good, but then someone else started writing for it, and went downhill.

Anyone know if any books are taken from the Empire perspective? I liked them better than the Rebels http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Dominus]

Oh yeah, I would also recommend that you read the Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson and maybe the The New Jedi Order series by various Star Wars authors.

Respondi

[Shehzad]

Well, I'd only recommend the above if you have nothing better to read....