A novel newbie seeks assistance.

[EmperorKalan]

Since you're asking for your Amazon wish list, I'll add in an oldie that might be up your alley: The Final Reflection by John M. Ford

Amazon has it available in two forms:
The original novel (new and used):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671743546/ref=sip_pdp_dp_1

or as part of the omnibus edition "The Hand of Kahless" (which reprints together TFR and the novel Kahless)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743496590/ref=cap_pdp_dp_1

It dates back to 1984, just before the third movie was released (and some 15 years before DS9 premiered), but don't let the age put you off. It has a darker tone, political intrigue, "a glimpse of Trek history",... (need I go on?).

 

[Lindley]

someone should've mentioned "A Time to Kill" and "A Time to Heal" and "A Time for War, A Time for Peace"

these are political, action-packed and the most DS9-like TNG novels.

*If* you choose to read these, you may as well read them before Articles of the Federation, which in turn should probably come before the Titan series.

It's not that you *must* read them in this order to follow the story, but there is a sense of progression that you may as well take advantage of if you're going to read them all anyway.