Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novelization

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover
Author Matthew Stover brings his gritty, emotionally vivid approach to Revenge of the Sith, giving us by far the best Star Wars movie adaptation to date. Stover adds an impressive amount of depth to the characters and events from the film, with the end result in many ways better than the movie itself. Lovers of Episode III will love this book, and haters of Episode III may like it more after reading this book.

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This is a movie novelization from the Legends timeline. Though the movie itself is canon, original content in the book could be contradicted by future books, movies, or TV shows (if so, you can think of it as an alternate universe).

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno
After joining the dark side, destroying the Jedi, and losing his only love, Anakin Skywalker must learn to live as the villain Darth Vader and earn his place in the new Galactic Empire.

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This is a prequel era book from the Legends timeline. It may be contradicted by newer books, movies, or TV shows (if so, just think of it as an alternate universe).

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novelization

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novelization by George Lucas 
The very first Star Wars book ever, this novel was written by Alan Dean Foster based on George Lucas's script for the original Star Wars movie (Foster agreed to do it without credit). It was released in 1976, six months before the movie, and was then titled Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker.

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This is a movie novelization from the Legends timeline. Though the movie itself is canon, original content in the book could be contradicted by future books, movies, or TV shows (if so, you can think of it as an alternate universe).

Splinter of the Mind's Eye

Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster
The first ever Star Wars expanded universe novel, released in 1978, this book was written under the requirement that it could be made into a cheap sequel to the first Star Wars film in case the movie didn't do well enough to justify a big-budget follow-up. It tells the story of Luke and Leia crash-landing on a swamp planet, where they must keep a powerful Force-magnifying crystal from falling into the hands of the Empire. Before the end, they'll have to face the Empire's most feared villain: Darth Vader.

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This is a classic era book from the Legends timeline. It will likely be contradicted by newer books (if so, just think of it as an alternate universe).

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back novelization

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back novelization by Donald F. Glut
Based on the movie script and written while the film was still in production, this is the original adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back from 1980. It closely follows the plot of the movie, but with some small differences (such as a "blue" Yoda) due to the fact that author Donald F. Glut didn't get to see the movie before writing the book.

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This is a movie novelization from the Legends timeline. Though the movie itself is canon, original content in the book could be contradicted by future books, movies, or TV shows (if so, you can think of it as an alternate universe).

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novelization

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novelization by James Kahn
Written based on the script while the film was still in production, this is the original novel adaptation of Return of the Jedi from 1983. Author James Kahn brings depth and a slightly different perspective to what is probably the second-best of the main Star Wars movie novelizations (after Matthew Stover's Revenge of the Sith). Though there are naturally also some inconsistencies with the final film and later books, the novel also includes interesting expanded versions of some of the scenes from the movie.

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This is a movie novelization from the Legends timeline. Though the movie itself is canon, original content in the book could be contradicted by future books, movies, or TV shows (if so, you can think of it as an alternate universe).

The Jedi Academy Trilogy

 
The Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson
Though fan opinions vary on its quality, the Jedi Academy Trilogy plays a key role in the timeline of Legends novels set after Return of the Jedi. The series follows Luke Skywalker's mission to rebuild the Jedi Order by searching out Force-sensitive candidates and establishing a new Jedi Academy on Yavin IV. All does not go well at first, with a powerful Imperial superweapon emerging from hiding even as the spirit of an ancient Sith Lord works to corrupt the new generation of Jedi apprentices.

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Book 1: Jedi Search
Book 2: Dark Apprentice
Book 3: Champions of the Force

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from The Force Awakens and newer books.

Legacy of the Force

The Legacy of the Force Series
Troubled by visions of darkness, war-scarred Jedi Jacen Solo is hellbent on ensuring a better future for his young daughter. As the Alliance descends into a new civil war pitting heroes of the rebellion against each other, Jacen will do anything to bring peace and order to the galaxy: even if it means seizing power as a dictator, joining the Sith, and bringing about the destruction of the Solo and Skywalker families. A tragic tale of the dangers of power and self-assuredness.

In an ongoing side plot, Boba Fett leads a new generation of Mandalorian warriors, but he too struggles with family issues rooted deep in his shameful past.

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Betrayal by Aaron Allston
Bloodlines by Karen Traviss
Tempest by Troy Denning
Exile by Aaron Allston
Sacrifice by Karen Traviss
Inferno by Troy Denning
Fury by Aaron Allston
Revelation by Karen Traviss
Invincible by Troy Denning

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from the sequel movies and newer books. 

Fate of the Jedi

The Fate of the Jedi Series
Forty years after Return of the Jedi, the Skywalker and Solo families struggle to recover from unspeakable tragedy, even as their own government has turned against the Jedi. But there are bigger threats to face: A long-lost Sith tribe plots to overthrow the Alliance, even as a mysterious ancient power drives young Jedi insane before threatening the galaxy with an apocalyptic purge.

The backstory of the Sith group in this series is told in the book Lost Tribe of the Sith. Consider reading that book first to better appreciate parts of Fate of the Jedi, or reading it afterwards if you want to learn more.

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Outcast by Aaron Allston
Omen by Christie Golden
Abyss by Troy Denning
Backlash by Aaron Allston
Allies by Christie Golden
Vortex by Troy Denning
Conviction by Aaron Allston
Ascension by Christie Golden
Apocalypse by Troy Denning

This is a post-Return of the Jedi series from the Legends timeline. Think of it as an alternate universe from the sequel movies and newer books.