In honor of the upcoming Star Wars Reads Day, a few random reminiscences on some of my own memorable book experiences:
- Reading Tom Swift Jr. in the back seat while driving across Nebraska in July on a family vacation
No AC, no Interstates, just heat and dust and the adventures of a young man with cool future technology. My first real introduction to the wonders of science fiction.
- Exploring the local library
When I was growing up, the library in Lombard, Illinois, was located inside a mansion donated by the original residents, Colonel and Helen Plum. Instead of the long stacks of modern libraries, this one literally had separate rooms—of all different sizes—as well as unexpected nooks and cubbies along the way where the books were shelved. Hunting down fresh reading material was as much a physical exploration as it was a literary one.
- Slogging through the aftermath of a major snowstorm to the local bookstore in hopes of finding book two of The Lord of the Rings
The bookstore was a solid mile away, the streets were still unsafe for nonessential car traffic, and like a numbskull I didn’t think to call first and see if the bookstore was even open. It wasn’t, and I had to slog back home and wait another couple of weeks to find out what happened to Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and the others.
- Lying on my bed reading William L. Shirer’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
It was with this book that it was finally driven home to me how fascinating history was, and how real-life plot twists were as interesting and incredible (sometimes even more so) as anything in fiction.
- And finally, the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be on the other side of the book, and later to be allowed to add my own modest contributions to the Star Wars saga
Good books don’t just take you to far-off lands, interesting people, and exhilarating adventures. They can also generate real-world memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Those memories are there for the making. Go make some.
On Saturday, October 6, Star Wars Reads Day is coming to your galaxy. Join in a celebration of reading and all things Star Wars at over 1,200 bookstores, schools, and libraries nationwide, with giveaways and raffles, and authors and/or costumed characters appearing at select locations. Find an event near you!
Tags: star wars reads day
One of my best reading memories involves Mr. Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy. As I was finishing a college semester, I had studied so hard for a few weeks and had tons of pent up energy. To take a break between exams I went to the modest fiction section of the school library and found a copy of Heir to the Empire, which I had already read. What a great study break: taking a rest from reading notes and textbooks – by reading more books.
The following year, I again had so much pent up energy after exams, I decided to read the Thrawn yet again. I read the first two books in four days. Reading a 400-page book in two days is no easy feat. By the time I got to Last Command I had to slow down and it took another four days to finish the last book.
Thanks, Tim!
Mr. Zahn’s Heir of the Empire trilogy is the best read ever added to The Star Wars saga. I must have read the trilogy ten times. Thank you Tim for the brilliant story line, setting, characters,etc. Grand Admiral Thrawn is the best character since Vader. I wish Zahn’s “Heir” trilogy along with “Outbound Flight” could be made into movies…real movies.
Steve
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My greatest memory? Finding out that Star Wars didn’t just end with Episode VI ! I actually began reading the New Jedi Order series, then began reading the Legacy of the Force series. I absolutely love the Thrawn trilogy. There was so much information i didn’t know! Mr. Zahn has made a great contribution to the Universe. Thank you.
I started reading the Thrawn Series and the hook was set! Since then I have read about 150 books in the last year. Thanks to Timothy Zahn my retirement has turned into a great travel from our history to that of the entire Star Wars family.
If ever another Star Wars Movie be made, Thrawn Rules!
Thanks Tim
John Coleman
My favourite reading moment was reading a part of Vision of the Future. I had bought it new at the start of my University year and read about 40 pages in a couple of days, and then one night i read, and i read, until by dawn I’d completed it all. I think it was about 5am in the morning when I read the bit where Pellaeon reveals the true history of Major Tierce, and I remember nearly falling off my chair. Lol. It was such a stunning revelation I had to take a 5 minute break to take it in.
Whenever I think of this moment, I always have a quiet laugh. hehe
My dad picked up a copy of Heir to the Empire for 25 cents from the library’s used book cart. I was 15. It was then I fell in love with Star Wars.
Never in my whole life have I read any books like the ones in the Thrawn trilogy. They are the only ones where I actually felt in the story. The Thrawn trilogy are some of the few books I have read over and over again. I also enjoyed the Outbound Flight book. It gave a great back story on Thrawn and Master C’baoth.
I have been reading Star Wars books for a long time. They all have been wonderful reads but Mr. Zahn have been some of the best and well remembered ones I have ever read. I think this Star Wars Reads Day is a wonderful idea and I hope it gets more people reading these great stories form that galaxy far far away.
Timothy Zahn, my friend Jayden McGaghey and I love your book The Last Command! I like Thrawn and Jacen Solo in that book. I also like Chapter 5. Jay’s got me hooked.