Shadows of the empire was my first ever EU read. Good stuff. I'd love to see it made into a cartoon or whatever. That's why I'm even looking forward to the star wars tv series, despite lucas writing it. EU's can and have lead to interesting new stories set in the infinitely imaginative star wars universe. EU's responsible for the creation of Boba fett too, from what I've read on the official site.

And I have to say CO's hit it on the head. What's great also about the EU is that it's all up to you. You can choose to believe it's in continuity or not. heh, and I choose to view the PT that way whether lucas says different.

Actually! I view many of the SE changes that way...

HOLY CRAP, ALL OF STARWARS IS EU NOW!