Is it worthy to read sookie stackhouse series?are they better than true blood?

i definetly suggust the books and they are much better then the show (minus the fact that you cant see eric in the books) im just warning that they are really different and i know a lot of people that read the books then saw the show and got really upset. the always follow the books somewhat but a lot is deferent SPOILER SPOILER and example is season 2 laffyette dies not miss janet