5. During The Saga Itself The Two Must Read Saga Novels
This is a safe time area to drop into. You know the characters, the main plot arc are familiar with what will happen around what you are reading. There is no need for context or any supplemental material. Some really interesting work has been written based during run of the films, but which isnt on screen. I would suggest starting with the two novels around the third film, Revenge of the Sith. The novelisation of Revenge of the Sith is a great way to become familiar with the style of a SWEU novel: tight script, loyal to universe and enjoyable. This novel is a tasteful telling of Anakins fall (this novel is free of the bad acting and awkward dialogue that plagued the film). The follow up, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno is the next step as it is the perfect addendum to Episode III. Dark Lord takes place during the immediate aftermath of the events in Sith. This focuses on Vader and his rise to power in the newly-inaugurated Galactic Empire. Luceno devotes much of Dark Lord to the internal conflict that Darth Vader undergoes as he tries to shed his former identity of Anakin Skywalker and as he relearns to master the Force. This combo is the perfect test for those unsure about the Expanded Universe.