Not exactly web development news I know, but Del Rey books are giving away a free e-Book / audio copy of the "Legacy of the Force: Betrayal" story that kicks of Jacen Solo's descent into the darkside of the Force - an event that forever changes the Star Wars universe.

If you've not already read any of the 9-book series then the first book is indeed a good place to start, especially for free. It seems a lot of publishers are giving away full versions of things lately as a way to better publicise what they do. Away from literature, some recording artists have been doing the same for a few months now. Such as Coldplay, who will also be giving away a free single later today. It's a pretty cool thing for consumers, and I think it does help retail too. By giving away a free single or the first book out a series it helps generate attention to that bulk of work and is more likely to generate more sales from people that would otherwise have never listened to or read it.