These cheesy book covers are AWESOME!
I admit, I didn't start reading the Charlaine Harris "Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire" books until True Blood's first season ended and I was missing my hot vampire Eric. Although I love the show, I'm only going to be speaking about the book series here.
Quick fun side note: Two years ago I was at the San Diego Comic Con (nerd alert!) and was lucky enough to hear the True Blood panel. Charlaine was on the panel and someone asked her if she told the producers of the show storylines she liked or didn't like on the show and she said no, she doesn't tell them how to write the show and they don't tell her how to write her books. She's a 60 year old Sookie. Very sassy! She's the opposite of George R.R. Martin and Game of Throne the tv show. More on that later.
Since the first season I've read six of the eleven books currently out. They're all sort of the same, same feel, same easy read, and all from Sookie's perspective. I like that but some may find it a bit dull.
For those not familiar, the books center around telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie falls in love with Bill, a two hundred year old southern gentleman vampire who comes back into town after over a century. Good news for Sookie is she can't read vampire minds, which makes dating a whole lot easier. Sookie spends the first few books getting into lots of trouble and falling in and out of love with Bill and Vampire Sheriff Eric Northman. Not to make these sound like romance novels, because they're far from it (trust me). Each book finds Sookie faced with a new enemy, mystery or danger (usually all three at the same time!) she has to figure her way out of. And for those of you who like the supernatural, vampires aren't the only supes that show up.
My only true complaint of the book is Sookie is so lonely, it's actually detrimental. I feel a little too sorry for her because she really doesn't have anyone to confide in, which is just sad.
That said, the Sookie Stackhouse books are perfect for summer reading or cozying up next to a fire during winter. Actually, you reading a Sookie Stackhouse book is good no matter what you're doing.
