Not really hip to any of Zahn's work. To me, Star Wars is a style, a mode of filmmaking/writing/whatever. Tough to put it into words but character development is not usually belabored any Star Wars movie. That's not saying it isn't there, just that it isn't the point of the venture.

Zahn isn't hip to that philosophy, I guess. And whatever, it's his thing. It's not like he's the only "offender" in that category. I'm just not much interested in his SW books.

In fact, I'm not much into most EU stuff. And even the stuff I do like isn't really canon to me. It's a suggestion or an alternate universe thing but not one comma of it is binding in my opinion. But since I'm on the subject...

Daley's Han Solo trilogy- It's just FUN.
Crispin's Han Solo trilogy- The stuff with Bria feels a little too paint-by-numbers but otherwise it's a solid series.
Shadows of the Empire- The most Star Wars-feeling book so far. Feels mostly of a piece with ESB and ROTJ.
Cloak of Deception- Offers some good background into the political situation we see in TPM. It's not for everybody but it's okay.
Legacy- I've only read about 10 or 12 issues but I like concept of the thing.
Cartoon Network Clone Wars- It might've been more enjoyable if the crew could've gotten past their collective boner for ESB but it's not bad to watch once in a while.

Most of the rest of the EU is overloaded with technobabble and character names filled with apostrophes.