Here follow my recommendations for Star Wars literature. When it came to Star Wars, like most people I stuck with the movies. But I began to be interested in finding a more fulfilling exercise in magnificent worldbuilding, epic storytelling, and heartbreaking beauty. In other words, I wanted Tolkien in space. I found it in the works of Brian Daley — the radio dramatizations of the original movies — and Timothy Zahn — the five novels which originally continued the story. Here is a list of those works (highlighted in yellow), plus some peripheral books which are excellent and which round out the experience.

CLASSIC (1977-1983)
 
1)  Han Solo at Stars’ EndBrian Daley
2)  Han Solo’s RevengeBrian Daley
3)  Han Solo and the Lost LegacyBrian Daley
 
4)  Star WarsBrian Daley
5)  The Original Marvel Years Volume 1Archie Goodwin
6)  The Original Marvel Years Volume 2Archie Goodwin
 
7)  Rebel Mission to Ord MantellBrian Daley
8)  The Empire Strikes BackBrian Daley
9)  Return of the JediBrian Daley
 
 
THE THRAWN TRILOGY (1991-1994)
 
1)  Heir to the EmpireTimothy Zahn
2)  Dark Force RisingTimothy Zahn
3)  The Last CommandTimothy Zahn
 
4)  HammertongTimothy Zahn
 
 
THE MINI-CANON (1995-1999)
 
1)  Rogue SquadronMichael Stackpole
2)  Wedge’s GambleMichael Stackpole
3)  The Krytos TrapMichael Stackpole
 
4)  The Bacta WarMichael Stackpole
5)  Specter of the PastTimothy Zahn
6)  Wraith SquadronAaron Allston
 
7)  I, JediMichael Stackpole
8)  Iron FistAaron Allston
9)  Vision of the FutureTimothy Zahn
 
10)  Solo CommandAaron Allston
11)  Isard’s RevengeMichael Stackpole
12)  Starfighters of AdumarAaron Allston


Here is the older, tl;dr version of this page with a few more explanations.