Why Now Is The Best Time to Read Star Wars Books

A New Hope

This is absolutely one of the most exciting times in Star Wars history. With Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, a revolutionary new era of Star Wars was ushered in. Just as the opening era of Star Wars encompassed the release of the Original Trilogy in the seventies and eighties, and the resurgence of the Prequel Trilogy permeated the nineties and two-thousands, so too did Disney’s acquisition signify a major landmark in Star Wars history.

Six years later, not only has the Star Wars property once again firmly re-established its place atop the mountain of popular culture, it has also made it clear that it doesn’t plan on giving up that spot any time soon. New movies, TV shows, video games, and, yes, new books are all in the works—all aimed at deepening and expanding the mythology we’ve loved since the beginning.

Which is why now is the best time to pick up a book! In fact, 2018 just might be the year of Star Wars literature. Does that seem like a bold statement? Perhaps. But here at Youtini, we couldn’t believe in it more. And here are the top 3 reasons why!

1. Everything Counts

Unless you’ve been living on a backwater planet like Tatooine (or skipped over the intro to this article), you’re aware that Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012. But what you might not know is exactly how far-reaching the consequences of that acquisition really are. While the deal ensured that Disney was officially in charge of creating all future content, it also gifted them the rights to all of the old material—movies, video games, and (of course) books.

Before this acquisition, all Star Wars literature was referred to as the “Expanded Universe,” or “EU” for short. The EU had humble beginnings, but it quickly became a vast collection of stories by authors from all backgrounds. Over the years, those stories became folded into the overall story of Star Wars. But once Disney took over, there was a question about what might happen to those stories.

The answer came shortly. All of the old books that weren’t novelizations of the movies would be considered “Legends.” That means that they are stories involving the same characters, planets, and plot points that we’ve all come to know and love, but they didn’t necessarily happen. They’re more of stories told around a campfire.

Myths. Fables. Legends.

Subsequently, all newly released books would be dubbed canon. That means that every word of every page of every book would officially be a part of the larger story. It would be on par with the films. It would count.

It happened.

Disney has already shown its commitment to this new way of doing things by dispensing bits and pieces of important information in every book—even going so far as devoting entire novels to building important backstory before the movies are released.

This raises the stakes. It makes every turn of the page crackle with excitement. It sends ripples of consequence throughout the entire Star Wars universe.

Essentially, if you’re not reading the books, you’re missing part of the story.

2. Movies and TV and Games, Oh My!

Are you more of a niche Star Wars fan? A gamer? A fan of the animated universe? Or maybe you’re a movie purist? That’s okay! We know you’re out there. But what you may not know is…there’s a book for that! As modern Star Wars media expands, there has been an effort to link all of the various forms through the books.

So, all you Battlefront II players out there, I give you Christie Golden’s Inferno Squad. To everyone who just finished Star Wars Rebels…you don’t have the full story until you’ve read John Jackson Miller’s A New Dawn or Marvel’s Kanan comics.

And those aforementioned movie purists? Just last month we sent out Jason Fry’s The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition which offers quite a bit of new insight into its on-screen counterpart, including deleted scenes.

The point is, no matter what interests you, there’s a book that can expand upon it. And maybe even lead you into exploring uncharted reaches of the Star Wars universe.

3. There's Much, Much More to Come

Star Wars isn’t slowing down any time soon. In fact, it’s picking up speed!

In just the past few months, we’ve gotten announcements for several new film projects and at least one live-action television series. And that’s just what we know about. Undoubtedly, there are folks working tirelessly to deliver more quality Star Wars, and with that new Star Wars will come new books.

So here we stand, at the edge of the Unknown Regions, poised and ready for the coming adventures. If that overwhelms you, don’t worry! All of us here at Youtini are committed to helping you along your Star Wars literature journey—a Holocron to guide you on your voyage.

So what are you waiting for? The hyperdrive is primed, and Star Wars is about to take off. Why continue staring off into the binary sunset? Go start your adventure today!

After all, 2018 is the year of Star Wars literature.

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