Heartstopper: The Reading List
If you’ve seen the Heartstopper show on Netflix, you will have noticed that Isaac (Charlie’s friend) always has a book in hand. What is he interested in reading? As it turns out, a mix of fiction and non-fiction, including several books by and about LGBTQIA+ people! I most love the fact that one selection is Alice Oseman’s own Radio Silence.
Charlie’s bookshelf is well-packed, but the only books I could concretely identify were Oseman’s Radio Silence, I Was Born for This, and Solitaire. Let me know if you can identify any more of Charlie or Isaac’s books!
The book summaries below were taken from Goodreads.
Episode 1
“Dune” by Frank Herbert, 1965
Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for...
When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.
Episode 2
“Naruto, Vol. 72: Uzumaki Naruto” by Masashi Kishimoto, 2015
With Naruto and Sasuke working together, Kaguya is finally sealed away for good. But just when it seems that the ninja world can find true peace, one more obstacle appears. Fueled by opposing ideals, Naruto and Sasuke will determine the future of the world in one final fight!
Episode 4
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson, 2019
The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?
“Proud: My Autobiography” by Gareth Thomas, 2014
Gareth Thomas had it all. He was a national hero, a sporting icon. He was a leader of men, captain of Wales and the British Lions. To him, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, a sacred code. It was no mere ball game. It gave him everything, except the freedom to be himself.
This is the story of a man with a secret that was slowly killing him. Something that might devastate not only his own life but the lives of his wife, family, friends and teammates. The only place where he could find any refuge from the pain and guilt of the lie he was living was on the pitch, playing the sport he loved. But all his success didn’t make the strain of hiding who he really was go away. His fear that telling the truth about his sexuality would lose him everything he loved almost sent him over the edge.
The deceit ended when Gareth became the world’s most prominent athlete to come out as a gay man. His gesture has strengthened strangers, and given him a fresh perspective. Gareth’s inspiring and moving story transcends the world of sport to tell a universal truth about feeling like an outsider, and facing up to who you really are.
Episode 5
“Radio Silence” by Alice Oseman, 2016
Frances has been a study machine with one goal. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the person she is on the inside. Then Frances meets Aled, and for the first time she's unafraid to be herself.
So when the fragile trust between them is broken, Frances is caught between who she was and who she longs to be. Now Frances knows that she has to confront her past. To confess why Carys disappeared…
Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.
Episode 8
“Gender Explorers” by Juno Roche, 2020
Life-affirming interviews with young trans people who share their empowering experiences of questioning and exploring gender.
"I believe that children who are questioning and exploring their gender are the gender bosses that we all so desperately need. I believe that they are our future."
In this life-affirming, heartening and refreshing collection of interviews, young trans people offer valuable insight and advice into what has helped them to flourish and feel happy in their experience of growing up trans.
“There Is No Planet B” by Mike Berners-Lee, 2019
We all know deep down that these are the 'make or break' years for humanity and the planet and that we cannot flee to another world: but what can any of us really do about it? There Is No Planet B has many of the answers, laid out in an accessible and entertaining way, and filled with astonishing statistics and analysis. Framed around the key fascinating questions, it offers a big picture perspective on our biggest environmental and economic challenges - including energy, climate change, food, hunger, recycling, biodiversity, plastic pollution and antibiotics - just to name a few. Whether you are an everyday concerned citizen or a policy maker, this is a handbook of what we might actually do in order to help improve the lot of humanity on this - our only - planet. This is a practical guide, student read and reference guide, all in one.
If you’re interested in reading more from Alice Oseman, check it out here:
Alice Oseman’s Complete Works
Nick and Charlie (2015, YA novella)
This Winter (2015, YA novella)
Radio Silence (2016, YA novel)
I Was Born for This (2018, YA novel)
Heartstopper Volume 1 (2018, YA graphic novel)
Heartstopper Volume 2 (2019, YA graphic novel)
Heartstopper Volume 3 (2020, YA graphic novel)
Loveless (2020, YA novel)
Heartstopper Volume 4 (2021, YA graphic novel)
Heartstopper Volume 5 (TBR 2023, YA graphic novel)