[quote name='Ledhed']I've been considering picking the novels up, but I simply abhorr 'action-y' books. Is there a story worth reading in them?[/quote]
It adds a lot of background depth to the game setting. Yes, there is a lot of time given to combat but what else would be accepted by Halo fans.
The first book deals with the creation of the Spartans, especially John 117, who eventually becomes the MAster Chief and Spartan team leader.
The second book is a novelization of Halo, with a much greatly level of details as too what was going on at various points.
The third book picks up immediately after Halo, following not only the Master Chief but also other surviving Spartans. At the end of that book there are still at least three Spartans unaccounted for and possibly available for future games/novels.
They're on the short side, about 340 pages each. I read each one in 3-5 hours.