I tried to follow some of the books that came out; some were more closely collaborated with Lucas than others. I remember one that I read called "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" or something like that. It had a confrontation between Luke and Vader that was rendered utterly obsolete and useless once TESB came out, making further books along its storyline impossible.
Yep. That is what it was called. it also included a makeout scene between luke and leia, a direction which was rendered unusable once ROTJ came out.
Keep in mind that fanatical devotion can only begin at birth. I was born in 79. The first two films were out before I took my first steps. I do occasionally miss things, even about star wars.