I have no intention to read the books, but I do want to know how it differs from the anime. Yes, just spoil it, explain the differences and timeline. It's far too confusing for someone to jump right into.
I finished the GOU anime in 2 nights, 7 episodes one night and 17 the other night. It was bloody fantastic, almost a masterpiece. I loved how you could watch parts of it like it's own separate thing and then the second half brings the whole picture together. I can't wait to Binge SOTSU. Gonna buy the blu ray and watch it that way, I could stream it since I have the service, but this is too good to simply stream, I must own my own copy.