The books are great, provided you keep in mind that the writing/editing is TERRIBLE and that it's basically just a trashy romance novel aimed at teenagers. The movie would have been better if the acting weren't so awful (seriously, tell me none of you wanted to switch it off when Edward did the whole 'screwy-uppy-facey-thing' at Bella when she first walked into Science class?!), but yes, the books are much, much better.
They're not stellar or anything, I mean like I said the writing is pretty terrible and it waffles on a bunch with meaningless drivel that could well have been edited out, but you will probably find yourself hooked. I knew it was crap, but I still couldn't put it down I devoured all four books shortly after my mum gave them to me for Christmas

IMO the last book is the best