I literally just finished Splinter of the Mind's Eye. It certainly is a slower story and felt like it could be a Star Trek episode. But I really liked looking at it from a different point of view than most EU. I see it as an alternate sequel (as it was originally penned to be, had ANH not been such a hit). When read from the view of Star Wars in 1978, it makes for a very interesting interpretation. Forget that Luke and Leia are sibs. Forget that Luke's dad wears black armor. Relish in the concept that artifacts contain mystical abilities, that we are still uncertain about what lies under Vader's armor. Enjoy the idea of alternate minor characters to replace previously established characters (a different rogue, and two muscular, hairty brutes to replace the Millenium Falcon crew, as Harrison Ford had not signed on to do a sequel at that point). I would love to see this book made into something like a TV movie, emphasizing what could have been rather than what ended up. Of course it would be outside of the true canon on any level, but it would be fascinating (though I'm 154% Lucas would never allow such experimentation with his universe).

This goes to illustrate my earlier point: the EU can sometimes be an opportunity to accept and reject other stories to look at the Galaxy Far, Far Away in a different light. Sometimes that rejection may even include films from the original trilogy for a brief time. I don't like most EU, but those things that I do like allow many enjoyable opportunities for me.