Novels are semi-canon, which is to say they are right unless the movies contradict them.which again will say that the only thing canon is the movies 😉
BB I really gave EU a chance I read all the books up to the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy. Then the bookstore I used were unable to deliver Shield Of Lies. Anywys the books were kind of similare, always in deep trouble against a very mighty opponent and Luke came out as a "havent really got a clue wuss kind off a Jedi" So after 14 books I packed it in and really wasnt that bothered that I didnt purchase the BFC trilogy and new rebellion, even if they looked the most promiseing ones, maybe I go for them in the fall, maybe.