DH want's to order season 1 of True Blood from netflix, and I haven't read the Sookie books yet.  The first is in my tbr.  Does anyone recommend watching or reading first?

Edie

Alan Ball changed the story enough that it doesn't really matter.  The core elements are the same.  The book has much more detail about people.  And the TV show has much more of a feel of the location. 

I just watched the whole first season ,,,,not sure how many books that will cover.....then I read books 6 ...I would watch the movies AFTER I read the books.......I did not read books 1-5 yet but read 6 and I found I knew too much....but again I jumped way ahead....don't do that either I was mega dumb to do that lol

I've read all the books so far, and purposefully did NOT watch the show because I was afraid it would spoil the books for me. Yesterday I watched the 'Making of True Blood' and I was really glad I never started watching the show. None of the people (except for Bill) looked like what was pictured in my head. But, the reverse is true for me too. If I watch a movie, I will never read the book.

I always like to read the book first, but that is just me.  I have read all of the series (up to that date) before watching it and I was a bit dissappointed in the actors they chose at first, since they didn't match what I had in my head, but after watching it a bit, I  adjusted and I really liked True Blood too.

I always think you should read before you watch.  But the books and the TV are very different if you must watch first. 

Read the books and skip the t.v. series. The series for me is just not very good.

I am of two minds about this topic:

1.  The HBO series and the books are so different that it doesn't matter.  the stories are 85% different and the characters are different except for the names. 

2.  The books are better because they are not constrained by the need to provide only visual/action information.  A lot of what I loved about Sookie takes place in her mind.  Her thoughts about the other characters and situations are sometimes very funny.  The show just didn't do that justice.      I did not care for the changes made to make some characters bigger in the show than they are in the books. 

well I've been reading the books for years and I cannot stand the tv show. The changes do make a difference to me. I wish if they were going to change it that much they changed the names of the characters.

I feel like I'm in the minority since I love the series and the books - which doesn't happen too often.  My SO was the one who insisted I watch the series.  During some time off I watched all the old episodes (got to love ON Demand) and fell in love with the show.  Normally I'm the type who prefers to read the book and then watch the movie/show.  I then searched out the books.  The first book is roughly the first season.  Yes, there are some changes.  I've read all the books up to 7.  I have 8  (I just can't force myself to open it- holding off) and while I was offered book 9 in hardback I am waiting for it to come out on paperback before I pick it up - so the books all match.

The series is on my keeper shelf.  They are one of the very few books I actually want to reread.  My So also bought me the 1st season on Blue Ray.  I need to sit down and watch all the extras.  I can't wait for Sunday and the start of season 2.

I found out about the Sookie books after I started watching True Blood. For me it didn't make any difference as far as liking them. Sort of like Harry Potter. The movies/show are different from the books in some important ways, but I enjoy both. I finished 1-8 of the Sookie books and am on the WL for book 9.

Can't wait for the new season to start!

ETA: I don't think I would have liked Eric based on the books alone. But he is quite yummy in the show.

Initally wasn't too big of a fan of the TV show but I hung in there and do like it now.  Eric is the killer for me though since he looks nothing like I pictured him...(kind of like Edward in Twlight as well) but now I view them as 2 totally different things.  I would still recommend reading the books though.  I'd hate to read a book knowing how the mystery ends! 

You really could do either.  I am with Joann and love both the books and series.  I have read all books to date and can not wait until Sunday for the new season.  Season 1 is book 1 with some minor changes, and I am so excited to see where they take this season.

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