what specific star wars media ( what you think are the best movies, shows, books or movies shows, books you have greatly enjoyed) would you recommend?
Sorry about my delayed reply, but this is such a good question that I've had to lay time out to answer it properly!
Alright, let's start off with best movies.
Rogue One. Hands down. I've re-watched it so many times (especially when I'm trying to get a scene right for writing) and it never fails to move me/make me cry like a baby. Yes, the OT are the 'classics', but Rogue One does such a perfect job of knitting together the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, it's like the bridge between the two eras. I could rave about the movie for hours, but then I feel like I'm preaching to the choir.
Shows. Okay, this one is gonna have some layers to it.
I have to first shout-out to The Mandalorian. Firstly, because it got me back into the Star Wars universe, but then also introduced me to an area of Star Wars media and lore I hadn't ventured into: the animation series. The Mandalorian was a fantastic space-western where it gave you enough to get curious about species or peoples or times in Star Wars and allow you to go off and delve into it at your own pace. By introducing Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano, that's where I wanted to know more about these two awesome women and finally made myself take the plunge into the animated series <- the best move I've made in this fandom!
So, that takes me to The Clone Wars and Rebels. Ahsoka Tano. The complexities of war. How the Jedi were really preyed upon in the incredible (and horrible) web of Darth Sidious. How people lose their way or their faith when the traumas get too much. How friendships and comradery can save us. The beauty of found family. Kanan Jarrus - the best example of a true Jedi - love, relationships, self-doubt, attachments and all. Hera Syndulla - the best example of leadership ever. Plus, the best lightsaber battle in all of Star Wars, between Ahsoka Tano and (former Darth) Maul in the last few episodes of TCW. (I said it and I mean it!) I now struggle to really accept people as 'die-hard' Star Wars fans until they've watched those pieces of media. That probably sounds a bit too snobby or gate-keeper-ish, but I can't help it.
Finally, and one that a lot would look down on me for: the Ahsoka show. Is it flawed? Very much so. Could it have been written a lot better? Absolutely! But can it also be utterly loved and speak to one's soul? A thousand times, yes. It's finally a piece of Star Wars media that puts women at the forefront. It looks at the struggles and healing journeys of Ahsoka, Sabine and Hera, a taste of the political struggles of Chancellor Mothma as she tried to lead the growth of the New Republic, and even half the villain side of the story being lead by women (Morgan Elsbeth, Shin Hati and the Great Mothers). Yes, a lot of bros like to focus on how awesome Hayden was in returning as Anakin Skywalker's ghost (and yes, that was fantastic, kudos to him) but to me he was just a cog in the wheel of emotional trauma Ahsoka has to process in order to improve her relationship with herself and then the others she wants around her. I could go on forever with this show, but I don't want to invite more discord than I have the spoons for.
Books! Alright, firstly, I must admit I'm a big Audible consumer when it comes to Star Wars books. I love listening to a story when I'm doing other things (usually cleaning around the house, or on long drives etc) and some of the narration of these books I feel adds that extra layer of awesome.
First book I cannot recommend enough: the Ahsoka novel by E.K. Johnston. It's narrated by Ashley Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka Tano in TCW and Rebels) herself! It's so good, hearing about her struggles through those first few years post Order 66 and how her role of Fulcrum formed.
Second book(s) is the Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn. (Thrawn, Thrawn: Alliances & Thrawn: Treason). The parts of Thrawn are narrated by Lars Mikkelsen himself, which naturally adds to how you really feel that development of Thrawn as a character, and learn to respect him (if not love him) from a different point of view than what Rebels offered (although did hint at).
That leads me onto the third book(s): The Thrawn Ascendancy Trilogy. (Chaos Rising, Greater Good & Lesser Evil) This provides a greater Thrawn backstory, looking at his own race, the Chiss, and what led him to the galaxy we know him in with the Empire. Extra Star Wars universe expansion!
I realised I've got so many more books I can harp on about, but I'll restrict myself to just one more (trilogy): The Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed. (Alphabet Squadron, Shadow Fall & Victory's Price) This beautiful series focuses on the time between the Battle of Endor and leading into the Battle of Jakku. Some awesome new characters to fall in love with, as well as amazing appearances from General Hera Syndulla (and if you've ever played the game Squadrons, there's some references and explanations of appearances/disappearances in here). I have vivid memories of ugly crying in the car as I listened to a chapter where Hera speaks about morality of war as her fighter pilots start making connections with Imperial loyalists with whom they are destined to try and defeat.
Finally, a type of media of Star Wars I am obsessed with that you didn't ask about: games. Two years ago I got introduced to the Trading Card Game, Star Wars Unlimited. I love it. Every few months there are new sets being released, with a whole variety of new leader cards, themes, with awesome art by real artists who love Star Wars just as much as the rest of us. You can play it online, or at your local hobby store that supports it. It's brought a whole bunch of awesome people into my life, helped me find that Star Wars fandom community that Tumblr makes you wish you can actually touch.
Anyway, that's probably a longer answer than you were expecting. I hope you picked up something new to explore!
