One of the best is 'Star Wars: Rebellion'. It depicts the events leading up to the Rebel Alliance's fight against the Empire. It has a great balance of political intrigue, character development, and of course, space battles. 'Star Wars: Empire' is also great as it gives more insight into the Empire's workings.
The 'Star Wars: Invasion' graphic novels are really good. They tell the story of an alien invasion in the Star Wars galaxy. The characters are well - developed and the action scenes are intense. Another top - notch one is 'Star Wars: Republic'. It shows different aspects of the Republic during various events in the Star Wars lore.
For beginners, 'Tales from Mos Eisley Cantina' could be a great start. It has short stories that are easy to follow and they all take place in that iconic location from 'A New Hope'. You get to see different characters and their little adventures in the cantina. It gives a good taste of the Star Wars universe without being too overwhelming.
Definitely 'The Clone Wars: Crash Course'. It has a great story that shows the training and experiences of the clones. It's very engaging and gives a good look into the clone trooper's life during the Clone Wars.
I think 'The Clone Wars: Gambit - Stealth' is a great Star Wars novel. It has a lot of action and adventure set during the Clone Wars. Another top one is 'Dark Disciple', which was based on some unproduced Clone Wars episodes. It has a great story about a former Sith apprentice. One more is 'Kenobi' which focuses on Obi - Wan's time on Tatooine.
Definitely 'The Truce at Bakura'. This novel takes place right after the events of 'Return of the Jedi'. It shows the immediate aftermath of the Empire's defeat and how the galaxy starts to adjust. It has a good mix of action, politics, and character development.
I would say 'Knights of the Old Republic' novels are also very good. They take you back in time to a different era of the Star Wars universe. You get to see the Jedi and Sith in a whole new light, with different conflicts and power struggles that are really engaging.
The prequel trilogy has its own charm. The story of Anakin Skywalker's fall from grace is a tragic and well - told one. We get to see how he was a young and talented Jedi, full of hope, but gradually corrupted by the dark side. His relationship with Padmé and his complex emotions add a lot to the overall story.
'Dooku: Jedi Lost' is one of the best. It takes us into the past of Count Dooku, a key figure in the Star Wars prequel era. We get to see his fall from the Jedi Order and the events that led him to the dark side. It adds depth to his character that we didn't fully see in the movies.
For beginners, 'Lost Stars' is a great choice. It has a relatable story of friendship and love set against the backdrop of the Star Wars universe. The characters are well - developed and it's easy to follow. Another good one is 'A New Dawn' as it doesn't require a lot of prior knowledge of the Star Wars lore and gives a good introduction to the universe.
In my opinion, 'Thrawn' by Timothy Zahn is one of the best. Thrawn is such an interesting character. His strategic mind and his ability to outwit his enemies are fascinating. The novel does a great job of exploring his character further and his place in the Star Wars universe.
The story of 'Solo' is really good. It tells the origin story of Han Solo. We get to see how he met Chewbacca and got the Millennium Falcon. It has a lot of fun action and some interesting twists that make it a great addition to the Star Wars franchise.