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With the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End I find myself in favor of literary spin-offs to the franchise as opposed to another film sequel. An explosion of books about everyone's favorite pirates would be nice, such as what has been done with beloved franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. I think that novels make more interesting ways to explore the development of characters.

Is there one series that you prefer reading?

I find myself more of a Star Wars reader, but I do like some of the Star Trek books. My favorite of the franchise are the New Frontier books. I still need to buy the last few installments of it.

Fairgrass, there is one Star Wars novel that I would highly recommend that you read. The Courtship of Princess Leia. Of all my SW books it is my favorite one and Shadows of the Empire comes in second.

As far as Trek goes, have you read The Ashes of Eden?

Now that Star Trek is off the air (for the most part), I actually enjoy the newer books better. While the shows were on the air, everything had to "reset" by the end of each book: the characters couldn't grow or change beyond the parameters of what they were on the television. Some of the really old Trek (original series printed before Next Generaton) books (like the Romulan ones by Diane Duane or "The Klingon Way") were innovative, but Paramont squashed those quickly when they made a new series.

Star Wars, on the other hand, has always seemed fresher to me. Yes, I know Lucas keeps a tight control on things, and there is a planned continuity, but at least the books are allowed to say "this is what happens next" as opposed to making a story fit in between missions. Even with Episodes I-III, there is lots of in-between space to fit stories, and a whole galaxy of other characters whose stories haven't been told.

I tend to enjoy the Star Trek novels more than the Star Wars ones because most of the Star Trek novels are great stand-alone stories, but with the Star Wars ones, you need to read them all in order or you'll be lost.

star wars hands down. i'v been exposed to both and i must say i like star wars better. i liked the NJO the best but the legacy of the force is going grate too. mrgreen

I am actually a fan of both but more of Star Wars. I enjoy reading Star Trek as to watching it because they can flesh out the characters more. I did like the later Star Trek series more than the original.

I grew up with Star Wars more in my house so enjoyed it more. Beside a phaser vs a lightsaber as an 8 year old? I liked the first batch of books up to the Thrawn Duology but the New Jedi Order books I felt were kinda weak because they bounced all over the place trying to show too many characters. I however have enjoyed the Legacy of the Force books because of trying to make another Sith Lord. Star Wars has also worked because of the many comics released over the years since the first Knights of the Old Republic trade paperback.

I do like Star Trek for numerous reasons. The Borg being an nearly unstoppable force, crossing the old crew with the new crews and showing the possible futures. I'm probably one of the few people who liked Shatner's post Generations take on Kirk's adventures in the 24th century.

just don't know where both franchises will go from here, Star Wars hitting 30 while Star Trek hitting 40.

Star trek. I think I could be a trekkie

I'm kind of on a Star Trek New Frontier reading binge over the past week. I found a bunch of the books that I was missing from a used bookshop and now I'm in the mood.