I watched the first season before I read any of the books, and I wouldn't say it's crucial to read them prior, but it would be highly recommended. I think watching the show (or any movie or show for that matter) prior to reading can distort one's imagination which partly makes books so awesome. Personally, it makes the book seem not as interesting, given that you now have a picture provided for you rather than you establishing it yourself. With that said, the books are definitely more nuanced, dense, and complicated than the show. I'd also say they are even more entertaining. Especially since you have ADD, you would want them to be as enthralling as possible, and just quite possibly the show may deteriorate the value of the book, and you definitely don't want that because the books are phenomenal.