Where the heck do I start with ST books?

[TheSublimeGoose]

Hello all. Been wanting to get into the ST "expanded universe" for awhile now. However... I really have no idea where to start, with so many different books out.

Any advice? I would rate my interest in ST time/story periods, from most interesting to least- DS9, followed by TNG, then TOS, then ENT, and lastly, VOY.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[The Wormhole]

Nothing wrong with picking up a random Trek novel and going from there. It's more or less what I did, even after I took my five year siesta away from them from 2005-2010. It's actually kind of fun that way.

 

[DimesDan]

It always helps to start at the beginning of a book and work your way from there.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

When I started, I chose to read the newest book in the current lit continuity (Takedown) to decide if I would be interested in the universe as a whole. Reviews on this board mentioned how it felt like a good, one-off story that isn't too heavily tied into the overall politics of the era. It was so far ahead of Nemesis in the timeline that I thought, if and when I start from there and work my way back up, I probably won't remember too many spoiled details at that point.

Ended up loving Takedown, and went back and started from Death in Winter (the first book after events in Nemesis) and eventually worked my way up to the Typhon Pact miniseries and was super confused with the DS9 time jump. Went back and started at the DS9 relaunch (books after the series ended) and worked my way through all of that era and then into A Time To... (TNG mini series leading up to Nemesis) to fully round out the timeline. By then I had the gaps filled and went back into Typhon Pact and thought, 'So that time jump was abrupt no matter what...lol.'

I've since worked my way through every subsequent book, and even re-read Takedown when I got there, and boy was it even better than the first time since I had all the backstory (which wasn't necessary, but definitely more fun to have) and I am now up to date.

That being said, I would totally recommend reading 'Headlong Flight' first (the latest TNG book out) especially because it has a TNG Era version of the Enterprise-D meeting the current Enterprise-E crew. It would be a really fitting way to ease yourself into the litverse. Takedown, for me, was super fitting because it included Riker in an arguably TNG story.

Or you could start anywhere. Tis just a suggestion.

Now that I'm caught up, I've started to go back and read books that are referenced in the post-Nemesis continuity. Working my way through lit-canon Voyager and TNG books right now. Most likely I'll work my way back into litverse compatible 23rd century and Lost Era books afterwards.

Most importantly, DO get into it! The books are great!

 

[Riverside2233]

I was in your shoes this time last year and I chose to go somewhat chronological through the Lit Verse timeline (starting with ENT fiction and then TOS, Vanguard, etc....) in order by date. It all depends on if you are OCD like me and want to have any order to it all.

You can start with any of the novels. If DS9 is what you like, then start with the re-launch novels on the flow chart below and go from there maybe...

Enjoy.

@Thrawn and @8of5 put together a pretty solid LitVerse chart but I can't find the updated link. Here is an older one.

http://www.thetrekcollective.com/p/trek-lit-reading-order.html

and @ryan123450 also has a good site you could use as a reference:

https://startreklitverse.yolasite.com/

Here is a link to a list @Thrawn sent me last year if you are looking to go chronological by publication.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1owZ6wp3weoioIPKkd7H-HtkeFQPbVuqDK11-DHBggF0/edit#gid=0

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

"Where the heck?" you say?
Where the Hell is Heck?

I started with Blish's Star Trek 9 (one of 13 anthologies containing Blish's short story adaptations of TOS episodes, the thirteenth being Mudd's Angels, containing "Mudd's Women," "I, Mudd," and an original novella by Blish and his widow), back in the mid 1970s. The first Star Trek novel I read was either Blish's Spock Must Die, or possibly a borrowed copy of the youth novel, Mission to Horatius. (I didn't get my own copy until Pocket did a facsimile reprint; the original, at least in good condition, is extremely rare, and [given the cheap paper] probably too delicate to actually read.)

You don't need to start that far back, but at the same time, there are an awful lot of multi-novel arcs out these days, and you probably don't want to start one of those in the middle. Likewise, there are some classics that are over two decades old, and still very much worth reading (Diane Duane's Spock's World, case in point).

On the other hand, with the multi-novel arcs, if you start at the beginning, you've got an advantage over those of us who read them as they came out, because you can read each installment with the previous one fresh in your mind. Just remember to start any given arc at the beginning.

 

[Christopher]

Where the Hell is Heck?

In the Dumfries and Galloway council region of southwest Scotland, a hamlet 2 miles southeast of the town of Lochmaben. There's also one in North Yorkshire, England, subdivided into Great Heck and Little Heck.

I started with Blish's Star Trek 9 (one of 13 anthologies containing Blish's short story adaptations of TOS episodes, the thirteenth being Mudd's Angels, containing "Mudd's Women," "I, Mudd," and an original novella by Blish and his widow)

I think the novella is strictly the work of the widow, J.A. Lawrence. Mudd's Angels was credited solely to her, and her comments in Voyages of the Imagination seem to indicate that the original story was one she came up with on her own. (Not to mention that it was terrible.)

 

[ryan123450]

If your favorite series is DS9 I'd say you have five good options.

Tales of the Dominion War: An anthology showing tons of corners of the Trek universe during the war. Many stories are about characters you know from DS9, TNG, and even TOS. Several stories are about characters from the books, though most will be easily understandable anyway. I remember being mystified by the sequel to the Vulcan's Nouns books when I read it, having not read any of those books.

Prophecy and Change: Another anthology which tells DS9 stories from each season of the show. This is a really safe bet.

The Lives of Dax: Yet another anthology which tells a story about each of Dax's hosts. A couple of the stories feed into events in later books.

A Stitch in Time: Really one of the highest regarded Trek books ever written. Basically Garak's autobiography written by the actor who played him. This story also informs later books.

Avatar: The duology that basically starts off Season 8 of DS9. If you don't pick this one now, you're going to want to read this at some point, and then continue on from there. Like was mentioned upthread, you may be able to glean some useful info from my site, which is linked in my signature.

Happy reading!

 

[JLP_1984]

I avoided the expanded Star Trek story universe for almost a decade : I started with DS9, then Voyager and quickly onto TNG and Enterprise. I felt that it didn't matter where I started, I ultimately wanted to get onto the next novel and it continued until the next novel and then the next. The quality of writing led me to the DTI series which I thoroughly love. The quality of the writing has kept me entertained so much I'm buying each novel as they appear now.

Long story short.... pick a book in the series you enjoy and go from there.

P.S Don't be afraid to try non-traditional series - DTI is awesome!

 

[ryan123450]

And keep in mind that even if you didn't love Voyager, the Voyager novels by Kirsten Beyer are very highly regarded, and one of the most common stories about them is that readers who were never crazy about Voyager on tv, absolutely love what is done with the series in the books.

 

[Jbarney]

Hello all. Been wanting to get into the ST "expanded universe" for awhile now. However... I really have no idea where to start, with so many different books out.

Any advice? I would rate my interest in ST time/story periods, from most interesting to least- DS9, followed by TNG, then TOS, then ENT, and lastly, VOY.

Thanks for any advice!

It depends on what you are looking for really. IF you want the flavor of the contained, one shot stories, sticking with the numbered ones from TNG or DS9 should give you a good introductory read to much of the universe. If you want to pick up where DS9 left off...picking up with the relaunch books might make sense.

For what it is worth, I was pretty much in the same boat as you, although different circumstances. About 8 years went by and I looked at the accumulating trek books on my shelf, unread, and decided to get back into the flow. Years ago I had read all of the TOS material and most of the DS9/TNG/NF/VOY early books. Now, I am determined to make my way through all of the books and stories I have missed out on.

I feel pretty comfortable reading some of the TOS stand alone stories that come out, but to keep the larger treklit story....to experience it in a fashion as the stories were told, I try to keep aware of publication order. Which has me tiptoeing closer and closer to the post Nemesis stories.

But really, the best advice offered here is probably just to pick one up and start reading. Good luck. I have found that on many levels I enjoy the trek books more than the shows.

Peace,
JB
I

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

Thank you everyone for the detailed and informative responses. I appreciate it!

And keep in mind that even if you didn't love Voyager, the Voyager novels by Kirsten Beyer are very highly regarded, and one of the most common stories about them is that readers who were never crazy about Voyager on tv, absolutely love what is done with the series in the books.

Thanks! I'd be willing to give it a chance- because some days I do get the appeal of VOY. Perhaps they'd even give me a different perspective on the show!

It depends on what you are looking for really. IF you want the flavor of the contained, one shot stories, sticking with the numbered ones from TNG or DS9 should give you a good introductory read to much of the universe. If you want to pick up where DS9 left off...picking up with the relaunch books might make sense.

For what it is worth, I was pretty much in the same boat as you, although different circumstances. About 8 years went by and I looked at the accumulating trek books on my shelf, unread, and decided to get back into the flow. Years ago I had read all of the TOS material and most of the DS9/TNG/NF/VOY early books. Now, I am determined to make my way through all of the books and stories I have missed out on.

I feel pretty comfortable reading some of the TOS stand alone stories that come out, but to keep the larger treklit story....to experience it in a fashion as the stories were told, I try to keep aware of publication order. Which has me tiptoeing closer and closer to the post Nemesis stories.

But really, the best advice offered here is probably just to pick one up and start reading. Good luck. I have found that on many levels I enjoy the trek books more than the shows.

Peace,
JB
I

Thanks for the well-thought-out answer!

What makes you say you enjoy the books more than the series?

 

[Jbarney]

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed watching almost all of the episodes....but treklit has just been able to expand the universe so much more by what you see on screen. A few examples, just from my perspective.....

Vanguard: This series of books is a great companion to TOS because of all of the background and world building it established. It provides some great specifics about the colony efforts the UFP was initiating during the first part of the series and provides some great threads which touch other treklit series. (SCE). At this point trek isn't on TV any more, and until Discovery finally shows up, the comics and novels are the only new trek available. They expand the universe in so many ways. Depth. Conflict. Dates.

Another example would be the multi year stories treklit has after Nemesis. This is where I am with the series (several years behind), but I am just now getting to some of the books which surround the events of the last TNG movie. I will go back and forth (My favorite era is 2nd FYM up to Star Trek VI) and pick up one shot books from TOS, but there are some huge Borg related arcs that I can't wait to get to. I've avoided threads with spoilers about Titan, Destiny, The Fall, or the Typhoon Pact, because I have not read any of those books yet. As I understand it there are some huge events which unfold, so I can't wait.

But yes, I think I enjoy my current treklit reading binges more so than watching many of the old episodes. Understand....I read in a very specific way. I don't read in situations where there are many interruptions, and if I can't find the time to read about a 100 pages a day....I find time.

What ever you select, be prepared for a wonderful expansion of what you have seen on screen.

Jbarney

 

[JD]

If you're a DS9 fan then I can't recommend the DS9 Relaunch highly enough. The early books especially are a great followup to the show, and the new characters they brought in to replace the people who left at the end of the show gave it one of the bests casts we've ever gotten in the entire franchise.
There are three options for where to start, the main arc starts with the Avatar duology by S.D. Perry, but a couple of older books, The Lives of Dax and A Stitch in Time were folded into the arc later, so any one of them would be a good place to start.

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

But yes, I think I enjoy my current treklit reading binges more so than watching many of the old episodes. Understand....I read in a very specific way. I don't read in situations where there are many interruptions, and if I can't find the time to read about a 100 pages a day....I find time.

What ever you select, be prepared for a wonderful expansion of what you have seen on screen.

Jbarney

Thanks for the suggestions... and yeah, I read the same way!

If you're a DS9 fan then I can't recommend the DS9 Relaunch highly enough. The early books especially are a great followup to the show, and the new characters they brought in to replace the people who left at the end of the show gave it one of the bests casts we've ever gotten in the entire franchise.
There are three options for where to start, the main arc starts with the Avatar duology by S.D. Perry, but a couple of older books, The Lives of Dax and A Stitch in Time were folded into the arc later, so any one of them would be a good place to start.

That's just what I'm looking for. A follow up to DS9 would be heavenly to me. Are there any books that involve Quark/the Ferengi heavily? I hated the Ferengi outside of DS9, but they had a couple of good episodes in DS9...as well as a couple terrible ones, if I'm being honest, lol.

 

[JD]

Are you wanting to read them or skip them?
Of the early books Quark's most significant role is probably in Demons of Air and Darkness, which is part of the Gateways cross miniseries. One of the novellas in Worlds of DS9 trilogy was focused on Ferenginar, Ferenginar: Satisfaction is not Guarenteed.
More recently they've done a couple of e-book novellas focused entirely on Quark, Lust's Latinum Lost (and Found) and Rules of Accusation but these are part of the later books, after they did a time jump to bring the DS9 story up the post Nemesis time frame and some very big changes were made to the series.
I would highly recommend sticking to chronological or publishing order, the books do have a pretty big arc that runs through each book and would be best experienced in either of those orders. If you can't read all of the books, they do you enough information to skip over some, but as long as you're going to read them all I would stick to whichever order you pick.

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

Are you wanting to read them or skip them?
Of the early books Quark's most significant role is probably in Demons of Air and Darkness, which is part of the Gateways cross miniseries. One of the novellas in Worlds of DS9 trilogy was focused on Ferenginar, Ferenginar: Satisfaction is not Guarenteed.
More recently they've done a couple of e-book novellas focused entirely on Quark, Lust's Latinum Lost (and Found) and Rules of Accusation but these are part of the later books, after they did a time jump to bring the DS9 story up the post Nemesis time frame and some very big changes were made to the series.
I would highly recommend sticking to chronological or publishing order, the books do have a pretty big arc that runs through each book and would be best experienced in either of those orders. If you can't read all of the books, they do you enough information to skip over some, but as long as you're going to read them all I would stick to whichever order you pick.

Oh, I'd love to read some Ferengi-based stuff! Especially the e-book based around Quark. How far into the future do the DS9 stories go? Thanks for taking the time to help me out, btw- I really do appreciate it.

 

[Idran]

How far into the future do the DS9 stories go?

Right now, the "present day" of the novelverse is mostly 2386; the only exception is the VOY relaunch, which is at 2382. So the DS9 line is about 11 years ahead of the end of the series.

 

[Jinn]

But the DS9 stories at not really further down the time stream than the rest of the Litverse.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

The bulk of DS9 stories are the initial relaunch. From the series finale of the show in 2375 through 2377, there are around 20-something books that are treated like additional seasons. The stories have a lot of interconnecting character relationships and developments are the story is much more serialized and closely knit than modern stories. If you love a familiar DS9, these are the books to probably start out with. Post finale books would be Left Hand of Destiny (2 books), The Lives of Dax (anthology), A Stitch in Time (Garak book, post-war Cardassia) and then Avatar. Avatar is basically the season premiere, and is the actual DS9 story.) This era of DS9 is wonderful. The new characters are fleshed out in such a great, DS9-way that you don't really get in the modern litverse anymore. There is a Ferenginar specific novel in this era too, but the character development leading up to it is pretty important IMO and adds a lot to the story.

Most of the Ferengi novels after are much farther into the timeline after the big time jump. The state of DS9 and the status of the DS9 cast might be confusing (and in some ways could be down-right discouraging) if you jump into these books right away.