True Blood Series

Is or Has anyone else read the True Blood Series, that features Sookie Stackhouse as the heroine? I am on book 6 or so in this series and am hooked! I know that it is also a television series on HBO, but I'm nervous that if I watch the show, it will spoil the books for me. Anyone read the books and watched the show? If so, did it ruin the books for you to have seen the show. I'm trying to decide whether to "instantly watch" the first season on Netflix. Thanks in advance for any help in deciding!