I haven't read the books but I'll just assume they're better than the movies. The first movie was terrible. Shaky acting throughout the most part of the film ruined it for me. Not to mention the whole movie had an awkward feel. It felt like right as everything opened up, the movie ended.
The second movie was WAY better. I'm not going to say it was a good movie, considering it still suffered from some of the same shaky acting (mostly Taylor Lautner this time) as the first did. The story itself is a little corny but I guess I can see where people can get into it.
Overall.. I think it's a decent story that has potential if they step up the acting/directing etc. The main thing I hate about the Twilight Saga is that it's one of those things that become astronomically huge practically overnight, so the companies behind it milk it for literally everything it's worth. Movies, action figures, board games, trading cards.. it's sad. I've seen Twilight birthday cakes, plates, umbrellas.. you name it, there's a Twilight themed version of it -.-