Chronological order, meaning simply in the order of the Star Wars Timeline, is probably the most commonly recommended reading order out there.
Reading in chronological order means locating a timeline somewhere, for example the excellent timelines over at Yoda’s Datapad, [Insert other timeline], or even ours here at Youtini - which is gorgeous - but I suppose we are a little biased.
Then, you follow the timeline book-by-book, reading each new entry on the timeline in the order that it occurs in the Star Wars chronology.
You’ll start with books many millennia before the films and progress all the way through the films and several decades after.
The Best Star Wars Book Reading Order
We have a full breakdown of our recommended reading order and why we so frequently recommend it on our post The Best Star Wars Book Reading Order. But here is the short version:
Why shouldn't I read Star Wars books in chronological order?
Should I start with the first book on the timeline?
Should I read Star Wars books in publishing order?
The Old Republic Era
Four thousand years ago, the Galaxy is very different from the universe of the Skywalker Saga, but much is the same. An Era of Sith and fallen Jedi, Mandalorian raids and Heroic Smugglers; an untamed universe awaits.
A massive Sith force conquers its way across the Galaxy, halted by a Republic on the brink of exhaustion. Only the Jedi and their allies can hope to bring peace to a galaxy torn asunder and defeat the Sith once and for all.
The Clone Wars have begun, setting in motion a thousand years of Sith treachery. The Jedi, clouded by years of Dark Side machinations, stand up against the tide of chaos in defense of the fracturing Republic.
Set between the Prequel and Original trilogies, a new aggressive Empire flexes the iron will of Darth Vader and the Emperor over a weary galaxy. But seeds of hope are sown far and wide as a Rebellion is born.
During the Original Trilogy of movies, the Galactic Civil War rages. The Empire tries to quash the sparks of hope, but a tide of heroes rises to meet their threat and counter the machines of war poised against them.
Winning the war was only half of the Rebellion’s struggle. Now they must keep the whole galaxy united. Heroes of old adjust to new positions and challenges as they attempt to keep their hard-fought peace intact.
A new Empire in league with a reborn Jedi Order works to fend off a burgeoning Sith threat. Set 130 years after the death of Vader, this era offers endless possibilities as the descendants of classic heroes struggle to live up to their namesakes.
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