How to Start Reading Star Wars Books
Which Star Wars books should you read first? Where can you buy Star Wars books on a budget? Here's everything you need to know.
There are hundreds of Star Wars books to choose from — where do you even begin? On this week’s episode of Now This Is Lit, Maddison from The Nightsisters Podcast joins me to discuss our respective journeys to discovering Star Wars books, the best entry points for new Star Wars readers, and where to get Star Wars books — even when you’re on a budget.
While you wait for the transcript for this week’s episode, here’s a quick guide filled with resources you can pass along to the Star Wars reader hopefuls in your life.
So — which Star Wars books should you read first?
There are plenty to choose from! Based on a few key entry point factors (characters, eras, story types), here are five Star Wars books you can read even if you’ve never consumed a Star Wars story before.
Lost Stars: A story that takes place across the events of the Original Trilogy and beyond, Claudia Gray writes a romance between two people who can’t be together: an Imperial and a Rebel.
Light of the Jedi: The first book in the High Republic series, Charles Soule’s action-adventure begins a new era of Star Wars in which the Jedi are in their Golden Age … until a new threat endangers their philosophy — and their survival — forever.
Dark Disciple: A Jedi and a former Sith don’t belong together — do they? Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos are about to find out. On an important mission as allies, the two encounter numerous obstacles, maybe accidentally falling for one another in the process. Fans of Christie Golden’s other work and the stories of Star Wars: The Clone Wars don’t want to miss this novel.
Princess and the Scoundrel: Hours after the Second Death Star explodes, Han Solo and Princess Leia decide the best way to celebrate the end of a war — is to get married on Endor. Beth Revis crafts a story that will make you invest in HanLeia even if you never did before.
A Crash of Fate: A low-stakes romance set on the now-familiar world of Batuu, Zoraida Córdova writes the story of two childhood friends who cross paths again after years of galactic conflict have kept them apart.
Want to start reading Star Wars Legends books? Try John Jackson Miller’s Kenobi novel, or the first novel in the Heir to the Empire trilogy by Timothy Zahn.
Where to borrow (and buy) Star Wars books
Want to start reading Star Wars books for free? It may be time to get yourself a library card. Your local library may have the books you’re looking for — or you can often request that they purchase certain books.
Audiobook readers can use services such as Libby, which connects your library card to your local library’s digital catalog.
Never underestimate the power of a good garage sale! Or your local independent bookstores or resale shops.
If you’re shopping for books online, Bookshop.org will donate a portion of your purchases to your local independent bookstores. You might pay a little more for every book, but your dollars will go to a good place.
And for ebook fanatics, getting your digital books from Kobo is another way to support your local stores, especially if you want to read Star Wars books but don’t have the space for collecting physical books at the moment.
Have a friend with a lot of Star Wars books? Ask nicely if you can borrow a few! Just make sure to take good care of them and return them in good condition.
As always, please make supporting Star Wars authors a priority as you begin your reading journey. Buy books if you can. But most importantly, support your favorite books and writers online with reviews, retweets, and even by simply telling them how much you loved their book. It makes a difference!
Want personalized Star Wars book recommendations? More resources coming your way in the future as the show and this newsletter grows. Your patience is appreciated, and I’ll always do everything I can to help you find the Star Wars books that are right for you.