Like many readers, I don’t spend a lot of time watching TV. I love The Office, but beyond that, I rarely sit down in front of the television.

Until recently, that is. I’ve discovered that HBO and Showtime both do an excellent job with series based on books. For the past few years, we have not had those premium cable networks, so I paid little attention when I heard people talking about the latest HBO series.

I now eagerly wait for Sunday nights, to watch The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Based on the books by Alexander McCall Smith, the series is incredibly well done. It is the first major film/television project to be filmed entirely on location in Botswana, Africa, and the cinematography is just gorgeous. I love the entire production, from the cast to the writing.

I loved the original book in the series, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, and I’m thrilled that the series is not only as good as the book, but it makes me want to read more in the series. I’m taking book #2, Tears of the Giraffe, with me on my upcoming vacation.

If you have HBO, do check out the series. It’s OK if you’ve missed the first few episodes, you can still enjoy the show. If you haven’t read the books, I urge you to pick up the first. It’s both lighthearted and serious, and is far more complex and layered than I initially expected. And if you don’t have HBO, put this on your list of DVDs to rent when it is released, and read the books in the meantime.

If you have a few minutes, take a peek at the trailer for the show; I think you’ll see why I’m enjoying this series.:

Want to win a copy of the book No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency? Head on over to Dewey’s 24-hour-read-a-thon where it’s just one of the many prizes that you can win. On the weekend of April 18th/19th, many book lovers will be participating in, yes, a 24-hour read-a-thon. You can join in on the read-a-thon (though you don’t have to actually read for 24 hours straight if you don’t want to), or you can simply choose to play along in one of the mini-challenges. If I weren’t on vacation, I would certainly be participating — after all, I’d love an excuse to do nothing but read for 24 hours straight!