A long time ago, in a galaxy much closer to home than we might like to admit, there lived a storyteller who saw the universe not as it was, but as it could be. That man’s name was George Lucas. What he built was more than a film series, Star Wars became a media empire, one that will continue long into the future. But we’re readers, so today, May the 4th, we’re celebrating our favourite Star Wars Books.

As we celebrate the stories that shape generations today, on May the 4th, we want to turn our attention to a part of that empire that is deeply appreciated, yet often overlooked. Beyond the glow of the screen lies a quieter and possibly richer dimension of Star Wars: its written universe. The novels, comics, and lore books form all corners of the galaxy, filling in the spaces between the films and, in many cases, surpassing them in depth.

Here are our best recommendations for a truly galactic celebration, may the force be with you!

Film novelisations

Film novelisations are often where fans first step off the screen and onto the page. They act as a gateway into the wider literary galaxy—familiar stories, but with greater depth and room to linger.

Revenge of the Sith Novelization by Matthew Woodring Stover

Arguably the darkest chapter in Star Wars, when Anakin Skywalker finally meets his fate. The novelization reimagines the story with a depth and tone that often feels closer to Shakespeare than to George Lucas. This book is so popular with fans, there is even a 20th Anniversary special edition!

Movie continuations

While the Star Wars films are more interconnected than most cinematic universes, they still leave moments, final scenes that have you craving the next chapter. Fortunately, the novels often pick up where the films end, carrying the story forward and guiding us into what comes next.

The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis

Cue the victory music, the war is over, and we’re celebrating with Ewoks on Endor. Han Solo and Leia Organa’s relationship is a Star Wars classic, but one that often brings controversy, as we never truly saw them together in the way many hoped. The Princess and the Scoundrel, by Beth Revis, explores this by inviting us along on their honeymoon, a journey that suggests the celebrations on Endor may have been premature.

Canon and Legends

In Star Wars, the story exists in two major forms. Canon is the official continuity, everything that defines the current, unified timeline across films, series, and modern books. Legends refers to the older expanded universe, rebranded in 2014, which is no longer part of the official storyline but still widely read and loved. Together, they form two different interpretations of the same galaxy: one ongoing, and one preserved as a vast archive of alternate myths and stories.

The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn

For Legends fans, we recommend the Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn—a classic fan favourite featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the most compelling characters in the Star Wars universe.

The High Republic era

For canon fans, a strong starting point is The High Republic era, a multi-book initiative that explores the Jedi at their peak. Standout entries include Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule and Into the Dark by Claudia Gray. Some definitive five-star reads are waiting for you.

Younger readers

For all the younglings in our life, there are multiple stories perfectly crafted for younger readers, such as Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown or the Little Golden Books Star Wars collection. These ensure the whole family can be trained in the finest Jedi arts.

Inspired by Star Wars

If you’re brand new to the Star Wars universe, but still want to celebrate today, there are lots of books out there that you may not have realised have their roots in Star Wars! Check out these for a Star Wars coded read, that gives you the vibes, without all the history.

• The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. Did you know this started out as a Reylo (Rey and Kylo Ren) fan fic?
• Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. Another one that started life as a Reylo fan fic, The Hurricane Wars is closer to the original as a fantasy with light and dark magic
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer. While this is officially a Cinderella retelling, the setting and world is heavily inspired by Star Wars
• Red Rising by Pierce Brown. While this is darker, and also inspired by the Roman Empire, Red Rising also takes inspiration from the original trilogy
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. This one may be a stretch, but the ‘deal with a devil’ is a perfect nod to the call of the dark side Luke faces across the series.

Whether you’re a seasoned Jedi Master or a fresh youngling starting out, there is space for you in the Star Wars universe. Happy May the 4th!