The Buzz...About Books

October 6 has been declared Star Wars Reads Day. On this day participants celebrate their love of reading and Star Wars. The day was created by Lucasfilm and its publishing partners Abrams, Chronicle Books, Dark Horse, DK Publishing, Random House Audio, Scholastic, Titan Magazines and Workman. Although the festivities are limited to the United States this year, events will be held globally beginning in 2013. In the meantime, make your own celebration with books from Toronto Public Library.

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie in 1977, the franchise has expanded to include 6 feature films, comic books and computer games.

Books have always been a part of the Star Wars franchise; the novelization of the first movie actually predates the release of the first film. Star Wars, credited to George Lucas but actually written by Alan Dean Foster was published in 1976. A reference copy is held in the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy.

If you would like to explore Star Wars literature, a good place to start
is Star Wars: the Essential Reader's Companion by Pablo Hidalgo. Published in 2012, it promises to be the definitive book on Star Wars fiction. Besides novels, the Star Wars films have inspired various authors to explore the series in a unique way.

Non-Fiction Books About Star Wars:

The Jedi Path: a Manual for Students of the Force by Daniel Wallace
This book has everything the potential Jedi needs to achieve a state of bliss.

The Science of Star Wars: an Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books by Jeanne Cavalos
A noted scientist and Star Trek fan provides answers to scientific questions raised by the Star Wars saga.

Star Wars: the Essential Atlas by Daniel Wallace
The geography of the Star Wars universe is detailed.

Star Wars: the Essential Guide to Warfare by Jason Fry
Fry takes an in depth look at combat in Star Wars, providing facts and figures, and detailed accounts of battles.

Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than you Can Imagine edited by Kevin S. Decker and Jason T. Eberl
Essays explore philosophical questions in the Star Wars series.

This is a very small selection of books in the collection about Star Wars. Ask library staff for further suggestions.