October 6 is Star Wars Reads Day. There will be games, giveaways, prizes. Some venues will feature authors, 501st Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, and R2 Builders Club. Bookstores and libraries across the country will be participating. I have a feeling this will be heavily geared towards children, but who better to enjoy this day than a Star Wars reader like me? My daughter and I will be sure to go. I can’t wait.
Check with http://www.starwars.com/reads/ for a location near you.
I don’t know if the movies never existed if I would actually read Star Wars. But it was, and I do, and I’ve found that it is truly a thing of beauty that cannot be fully appreciated by the uninitiated. In this Universe, there is something for everyone: action, adventure, romance, political intrigue. Some may dig even deeper into religion, provide social commentary, and explore moral and ethical dilemmas of which can be quite profound.
So then, why do I not know anyone who reads Star Wars? Do they just not admit it? I would understand why. I freely pronounce it, when anyone asks, on the off-chance that I may run into a closet reader. So far, no good. The reaction is usually one of stunned silence. I can only imagine what they’re thinking, and I only know it’s not something on the verge of enthusiasm.
So, I keep reading, immersing myself in the worlds that are not here and now. Hoping someday that someone will land on my planet.
I’m nearly finished reading the New Jedi Order. What an amazing ride it’s been. I cannot believe how many authors came together to make this happen — that they’ve been able to coordinate and literally get their stories straight. Sure, there have been some bumps in the road, but wow. What a thrill. It took the SWEU in a whole new direction from the New Republic Era. It made me fear for my favorite characters like I never thought I would, introduced me to a whole new cast of characters, and villains came from the strangest of all worlds with culture and weapons never before seen.
In a universe like Star Wars, who would have thought something old can become new and yet still be familiar? Kudos to Del Rey and the authors who made our characters come to life. My favorites from this era: Anakin, Vergere, Nen Yim. I am especially impressed with the arc drawn of Vergere over many books by different authors. Her character remained consistent and extremely well done.
My favorite older cast members: Luke, Mara, Corran. Luke and Mara were featured more earlier in the series. I never cared much for Corran until he showed up in the New Jedi Order. His mature self is so much more likable.
Favorite author? Greg Keyes, absolutely. He is the master of character development. Also notable are Kathy Tyers and Matthew Stover.
Favorite books? Conquest, Traitor, The Final Prophecy. I am reading the final book. I can’t believe it’s almost over.
Would I recommend this series? Absolutely. Be prepared for one long journey. Read from beginning to end. Anything in between will get you thoroughly confused. Good luck. MTFBWY.
SPOILER ALERT! Beware of spoilers in the comments section.
“Those try to do good often committed the most atrocious crimes.”The Final Prophecy (Star Wars: the New Jedi Order)
by Greg Keys
Today, I signed up my family to be a part of Star Wars Uncut: The Empire Strikes Back. It will be as close as we will ever get to being in a Star Wars movie, so we are going to savor our 15 seconds of fame. I’m already planning how we will manage the special effects and I’m sure the children will be fighting over the juiciest roles. Hollywood, here we come!
I have one. I finally do. But he’s not alive until he speaks. It wouldn’t do to buy a canned ringtone. R2 doesn’t just chortle a few bleeps. He’s got to have a vocabulary. He’s got to have emotion. And as it is with most things on the internet, look and ye shall find. It’s better than C-3PO, it ‘s the R2D2 Translator!
I spent all day pounding out phrases for my R2. It turns out getting ringtones into this smartphone isn’t as easy as it was loading one into my dumb phone a few years ago. It was a convoluted path only Apple could think up. iPhone “just works,” unless you want to tinker with it. I was tempted to make R2 swear up a storm, but that just wouldn’t be my little R2.
So, after a few hours, I finally have it. One phrase was all I could muster, but he speaks!
That Galaxy Far, Far Away 