My Story: Why I Love Reading Star Wars Books

Why do I read Star Wars books? Because they immerse me in a galaxy I so deeply love. They deepen my experience and relationship with this world and its heroes and scoundrels. I learn ever more about the lore, the Force, and even life itself. 

The more Star Wars I read, the more I see it mirroring life here on Earth.

But it didn't used to be this way. For most of my life, I only watched the movies — all nine of them, plus Rogue One and Solo.

Then, 2020 happened. 

The Dark Times

A world pandemic. My husband and I had retired from our jobs and sold our house, business, car, and most of our belongings to set off around the world. We were in Rome in March 2020. I was at Angelicum University to study mystics when COVID-19 slammed Italy, closing it down, and we had to return to the States. 

With no home, we moved in with my husband's parents, wonderful people in a tiny town in the mountains of North Georgia. It was a beautiful place but a far cry from Rome. We figured it would only be for a few months. We never imagined the pandemic would last for years or that so much of the world would be closed and locked down. 

Just when we were taking off on our grand adventure across the world, we were grounded. Then, for the first time in my life, a myriad of challenging health problems arose, followed by depression.

And so I sought refuge in Star Wars.

It didn't let me down.

Star Wars made me feel better, even if just for the moments I was watching it on Disney+. I devoured The Clone Wars and then Rebels. They were an escape that brought me joy, even when I was crying my heart out because they're also as heart-wrenching as any Greek tragedy.

Lucasfilm

And that led me to Star Wars books! 

I had never read a book that was IP (intellectual property). In all honesty, I probably thought they were beneath me. I was into "deeper literature," not pulp fiction. 

I know, I know. What a total snob!

But I discovered that Star Wars books are so much more than pulp. Yes, they have droids, starships, pirates, and space wizards. Yes, they can be campy. But they're also DEEP and philosophical, immersive and transformative.

It began with Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray (the High Queen of Star Wars novelists — boy, did I start off strong!). I was at City Lights Bookstore, a small shop in the mountain town of Sylva, North Carolina. There, on a shelf with employee recommendations, was Master & Apprentice. Of course, it caught my eye. Plus, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are two of my all-time favorite characters. And the bookseller who recommended it was the one who had led me to The Clone Wars. I trusted his Star Wars chops.

Random House Worlds

I bought it, dove into the story, and fell in love with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan even more as I began my deeper journey into a galaxy far, far away.

Next came Kenobi. I knew nothing about Canon versus Legends, but I could relate to Obi-Wan's exile to Tatooine, his loss and confusion, and his uncertainty over his new identity after Order 66. 

Did he even have an identity? I had retired from a career in Fire Rescue, and the loss of purpose and camaraderie had hit me harder than I expected. Plus, I, too, was stranded in a place I hadn't chosen, surrounded by unfamiliar forces.

A New Hope

2020 was a dark time.

Then I found Youtini and The Living Force Podcast, which were rays of light in the darkness. I listened to Corey, Eric, Charles, and Wes talk about the novels and how the books informed their experience of the movies. Sometimes, the books actually made the movies better.

My third Star Wars novel was Dark Disciple by Christie Golden. Holy Force, it was good! I loved learning more about the Witches of Dathomir and dark sider Asajj Ventress, whom I'd come to know in The Clone Wars. It explored the planet of Dathomir and delved into the Dark Side as Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos fell for Asajj and then down and down into the dark.

Lucasfilm

And then The High Republic was launched, and Charles Soule's Light of the Jedi pulled me all the way in. His description of the Force gripped me, deeply resonating, and then there was no going back.

Reading Star Wars books is now one of the joys of my life.  (And I’m happy to say my health issues and depression have resolved.) 

The world of Star Wars is vast. It stretches from Coruscant to the Outer Rim and beyond to the Unknown Regions. The timeline spans more than 25,000 years. The galaxy teems with exotic planets and species, magic, religions, criminals, and heroes. Likewise, the authors of Star Wars represent a myriad of backgrounds and perspectives. 

Not every novel I read was a hit. I didn't finish all of them. I've set a few aside. But I've learned along the way what kind of Star Wars books I like best. I like the character-driven ones: The Darth Bane Trilogy, Dark Disciple, and Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade. Intimate, mystical, and philosophical stories. I enjoy the ones with ancient texts and hidden planets, possessed masks, and secret religious sects, like in Shadow of the Sith by Adam Christopher.

Random House Worlds

Some novels are plot-heavy with a plethora of characters and storylines — these really aren't my favorite, though they certainly have a following. Others are deep dives into one main character (these I love!). Some authors have a lighter touch, others a darker one.

But the beauty of Star Wars books is that there truly is something for everyone. There are spy stories, adventure stories, romances, political thrillers, and so much more. There's middle-grade, young adult, and adult fiction. Epic quests and mysterious rescue missions. 

Conclusion

It's been a journey discovering which Star Wars stories and characters resonate most deeply with me. Discovering what I love or don't love always reveals valuable insight. As I learn about the galaxy far, far away, I also learn about myself and life right here on Earth.

Legends or Canon — I don't care. Just give me a good story with powerful characters and meaningful stakes, and I'm happy. Since there are literally hundreds of Star Wars novels out there, I can confidently say that I will be reading Star Wars books for a long time to come.