Expanded universe books??

[grizz]

I know nothing about the EU because I have never read any of the book. The questions I have are do the books go in some kind of order and if so what is the name of the first one. If there is no order then what are some names of the books that you recommend to start with.

[grievous]

With Expanded Universe, there is no "first book". Each of the books are either stand-alone or part of a book series. I'd start with one of the books listed below.

If you want a book based in the Prequel Trilogy:
Labrynth of Evil
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
The Rise of Lord Vader (or something like that)

Book based in the Original Trilogy:
Any of the "Tale from [insert something here]" books are good (Tales from Mos Eisley Cantina, Tales of the Bounty Hunters)
Shadows of the Empire

Books based in Post-Original Trilogy:
The Thrawn Trilogy (A GREAT place to start, consists of Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command. One of the most popular EU book series)
New Jedi Order (A huge series with 19 novels, starting with Vector Prime)

Young Adult Books:
Young Jedi Knights (Contains 14 novels, short and aimed at teenagers)

[Cona Chris]

If you look inside any of the latest paper back Star Wars EU novels (the hardbacks won't have this) - there is a timeline at the beginning few pages to show you when books fit in and when. Some even have a map of the Star Wars galaxy.

I'd echo grievous's comment about the Thrawn Trilogy. I also liked the X-Wing: Rogue Squadron Series and the New Jedi Order (the 19 book Series).

I am currently half way through the new book with Darth Bane's origin (called Darth Bane: Path of Destruction) and I am really enjoying that so far (maybe it's because I pull for the bad guys!).

[grizz]

I'd echo grievous's comment about the Thrawn Trilogy. [/quote
I am about 2 chapters away from finishing the second book in the thrawn trilogy and I am hooked. My nephew just finished and gave me the "tails of the bounty hunter" and I am looking forward to reading that one next. After that I think I am going to read the new Jedi order.]

[majikmonkee]

These are on my highly suggested list. The first few are in order, but even though Outbound Flight takes place in the prequel era, I think it's better read after Survivor Quest, which takes place long after the death of the Emperor:

Shadows of the Empire

Heir to the Empire Trilogy
Dark Force Rising
The Last Command

Specter of the Past
Vision of the Future

Survivor Quest
Outbound Flight

I kind of liked the "Dark Empire" trilogy, but the whole Emperor surviving through clones bit is a little too corny sometimes for my liking (I do own the books though). I've been reading through the New Jedi Order books, but quite frankly, I've found the series a bit depressing, and it never really redeems itself. I find myself longing for the much more "fun" feel of the classic trilogy as I read through them. I also enjoyed "I, Jedi", though the first person perspective was a bit weird, and Corran can be quite obnoxious throughout the book...

[kotor3please]

DUDE THE NJO (new jedi order) books are the GREATIST BOOKS IN STAR WARS. They are really cheep right now, like 5 $ a book, and i have read up to the 5 book from the last in about 6 months and i dont like reading

READ THESE THEY RULE
i love the Yuzuhan Vong, youll read bout them and they are sick

[autobot1000]

the new jedi order series rocks, but if you feel like reading them chronologically, look in the front few pages of the new jedi order series. it gives you a timeline of when the stories are set.

personally i read them all over the place(started with x-wing series) so it doesnt really matter which ones you read first