Star Wars has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From watching the Original Trilogy with my parents to experiencing the Special Editions in theaters, the galaxy far, far away has always felt like home. But for a long time, I avoided the books. The sheer volume of Star Wars literature felt daunting — where should I start? Did I need to read everything to understand anything?

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm and rebooted the Canon, it gave me a clean slate, an entry point into the Expanded Universe of Star Wars storytelling. Yet even with that opportunity, I didn’t dive in right away. Life got busy, and I just didn’t take the plunge — until I did. Three books (well, two books and one comic series) ultimately shaped my journey through Star Wars literature, and they remain the most important to me to this day.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction

I hadn't read a Star Wars book before I discovered Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn. Even though the story wasn’t part of the new Canon, something about it grabbed my attention. Maybe it was my fascination with the Sith after seeing The Phantom Menace. Ki-Adi-Mundi’s offhand comment about the Sith being “extinct for a millennium” left me intrigued — what happened to them?

Random House Worlds

This book provided the perfect entry point into Star Wars literature for me. The story of Bane’s early life working in the mines and his rise to power as a Sith Lord was captivating. It’s an anti-hero story at its core, and you can’t help but feel for Bane in those early chapters. The world-building was phenomenal — Karpyshyn created a setting that felt lived-in and authentic, much like the gritty, tangible worlds of the Original Trilogy.

And, of course, there was the Rule of Two. The idea that one Sith must hold the power while the other craves it gave me an entirely new appreciation for the Sith’s long game. The story helped me understand their philosophy and why they endured in the shadows for so long. It was my first taste of what Star Wars books could offer, leaving me hungry for more.

Light of the Jedi

Fast-forward to 2021. By this point, I’d read a fair number of Star Wars books, but the announcement of the High Republic era reignited my excitement for Star Wars publishing. When Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule was released, I bought it on day one — and I was blown away.

This book introduced an era of the Jedi that felt completely new yet inherently tied to the Star Wars universe I already loved. These Jedi weren’t the rigid, bureaucratic figures we saw in the Prequels; they were hopeful, proactive, and deeply committed to their mission as protectors of the galaxy.

Random House Worlds

The villains, the Nihil, were equally compelling. Their chaotic hierarchy — storms, strikes, and tempests — added layers of intrigue and made them a legitimate threat. The concept art for the High Republic era only added to my mental picture as I read. I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Arcane on Netflix, which I was watching at the time. Coruscant’s upper and lower levels felt like something straight out of that show.

Light of the Jedi also introduced fascinating new ideas, like the Wayseekers — Jedi who follow their own path outside the Order’s structure. Characters like Orla Jareni were so rich and multi-dimensional that I couldn’t put the book down. It was complex, ambitious, and fresh, reminding me why I love Star Wars.

The book made such an impression that I wanted to talk about it with someone, anyone. That search for community brought me to Youtini.

Charles Soule’s Darth Vader Comics

While the first two books were pivotal in drawing me into Star Wars novels, Charles Soule’s 2017 Darth Vader comics opened the door to yet another world for me: Star Wars comics. Before this series, I’d read a few comics here and there, but I’d never been a regular comic book reader.

Marvel

Soule’s work changed that.

This series struck the perfect balance between adding new lore and honoring what came before. Darth Momin, for example, was such a fascinating addition to the mythology of the dark side. The series gave us a deeper look into Darth Vader’s psyche, his struggles, and his unrelenting connection to the Force.

What I loved most was how this series respected the essence of Star Wars while daring to explore uncharted territory. It felt bold and fresh, and it sparked my love for Star Wars comics as a medium. From there, I dove headfirst into series like Doctor Aphra and Kieron Gillen’s Darth Vader, but Charles Soule’s run will always hold a special place in my heart.

Conclusion

These three books (and comics) were my gateway into the wider Star Wars universe, but they also did something more: they showed me how expansive and versatile Star Wars storytelling can be. Whether it was exploring the philosophy of the Sith, discovering a whole new era of the Jedi, or delving into the tortured mind of Darth Vader, each of these stories deepened my appreciation for the galaxy far, far away.

More than anything, they reminded me why I love Star Wars in the first place. Not just for the space battles, the Jedi, or the lightsabers but for the way it invites us into an ever-growing world of adventure, discovery, and imagination.

And, of course, they left me with one undeniable truth: there are always more Star Wars stories to explore.

If you haven't already, consider joining the conversation in Youtini's Discord and let us know which books or comics have been important to your Star Wars journey!