Fannish Ramblings

(in chronological order)

(note I did not include Thrawn's death, Ton's death, or Ganner's death, as they were included in my EU quotes list)

( click here for nerdiness )

So we had my Top 10 EU characters...now we have my

Top 10 Books


1. Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn
The perfect end to the Bantam line. And of course this reader couldn’t get enough of all the wonderful Luke/Mara interaction. Repeat with me: FINALLY!

2. Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn
Zahn managed to combine many different plots seamlessly and provided new insights into the motivations of both Palpatine and Thrawn. And oh, how I loved Thrawn in this book. Considering this is a prequel book without my two favorite characters – Luke and Mara – the fact that this book tops my list says a lot about how awesome it is.

3. Tatooine Ghost by Troy Denning
This is a wonderful character study of Han and Leia’s early relationship, and her fears about having children while coming to terms with her parentage. I want more books like this.

4. The Last Command by Timothy Zahn
The conclusion to the best series of the EU. It provided a fantastic end to Grand Admiral Thrawn’s character and a promising beginning to Mara Jade’s.

5. The Unifying Force by James Luceno
The conclusion to the New Jedi Order. One of the reasons I was so disappointed with the post-NJO books is that the series ended on such a high note and brilliantly set up the characters to go in certain directions…and then that was all pushed aside for the Dark Nest trilogy and Jacen turning dark.

6. Iron Fist by Aaron Allston
Ton Phanan. Dia Passik. Face Loran. Lt. Kettch. Need I say more? Of all the X-wing books, this is the one that made me both laugh and cry so much. And I firmly believe that Ton Phanan’s death is the best of the EU. It is quiet and dignified, with just him and his best friend, as all deaths should be: Phanan's chest did not rise or fall. But his organic eye was still open, directed upward, and his expression—for once lacking pain, lacking the shields of sarcasm or manufactured self-appreciation—was that of a child wondering at the glittering beauty of the stars.

7. Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor by Matthew Stover
No book in recent memory has made me more excited about the EU or done a better job with Luke Skywalker. It shows his transition from pilot to Jedi and cements his place as the hope of the Jedi Order with my favorite line of the EU: “Unlike the Knights of old, you are not afraid of the dark.” It even made me like one of the Mandalorians!

8. Star by Star by Troy Denning
A monster of a book that was the turning point of the NJO. So upsetting, but beautifully written. Anakin shouldn’t have died, but at least he went out like a hero.

9. Force Heretic: Remnant by Sean Williams and Shane Dix
I didn’t like the entire Force Heretic trilogy that much, but this book had it all for me: great action, great characters, and Pellaeon being a BAMF: “The Empire will always strike back.”

10. I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole
I have always wondered why there haven’t been more books like this. Reading a Star Wars book written in the first person was very different and very interesting. I’d love to go back to old series and get a first person book focusing on some of the minor characters.

Tagged by several people:

1. Star Wars. Because, well, duh. I love how I still get excited about it.

2. Cooking. I feel so accomplished afterwards.

3. Jazzercise. "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands. They just don't."

4. Pizzeria Validano. I think they have the best pizza in Florida. Unfortunately Philip is moving from Lakeland this weekend, so no more trips to Lakeside Village to see movies and eat pizza. :(

5. My crazy family.

6. Vacations. I love to travel. I hope that I never stop wanting to go new places.

7. Work praise. Because deep down, don't we all just want to be told that we're doing good work?

8. Organizing. Yes, I am strange.

9. Puppies and babies. Preferably separate, so my heart doesn't explode due to cuteness.

10. My gentleman friend, especially that he is so patiently teaching me the ins and outs of WoW.