It’s that wonderful time of the year again. No, not autumn, I mean the release of a new season of the Heartstopper TV show on Netflix. It is an excellent adaptation of the comics by Alice Oseman. One of the major differences made for the TV show is the introduction of the character Isaac, a bookworm who gradually realises over the first two seasons that he’s ace and aro. Which is a great addition. And has given the world the great gift that is Isaac’s reading list.

I have done my best to pause to see clearly every book we see Isaac reading in season 3. Sometimes the title isn’t clear and it’s only identifiable if you recognise the cover design. So if you spotted a book in Isaac’s hands this season that I haven’t listed here, please do comment below and I’ll add it to the list.

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

In episode 1 as the friends walk to the beach, Isaac is flipping through three books. The one title that’s clear is this “genre-bending memoir” about Nelson’s relationship with artist Harry Dodge, who is fluidly gendered. People have been recommending Nelson’s books to me for years but I haven’t read any yet.

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Also in episode 1, Isaac is reading this book on the beach (and it is one of the books he was holding a few minutes earlier). It’s another memoir, this time in graphic novel form. Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, describes eir journey through adolescent confusion to coming out, found family and ongoing trauma around gender identity.

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

In episode 2, on exam results day, Isaac is reading this romance about best friends. Which sounds pretty light and fluffy. But as Oseman describes in her novella Loveless (my favourite of Oseman’s novellas), sometimes aro ace people are drawn to reading romance.

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

In episode 3, Isaac is reading this book in class. This novel has been on my list of books to buy since it was published. It’s a queer sci-fi fantasy epistolary romance – so all the genres. Definitely makes sense for it to be on Isaac’s list.

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

Later in episode 3 Isaac is reading this at the zoo – appropriately, as this is the point in the series when he is struggling most with all his friends coupling off and leaving him out (unintentionally, of course). This novel is a sci-fi about a long-distance text-only relationship between two people who are each the sole occupant of a spacecraft.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The only one of Isaac’s books this season that I’ve read, and it’s a truly excellent novel that is probably still one of my favourites now more than 10 years after I read it. In the second episode we see a text conversation in which Charlie recommends this book to Isaac. In episode 4 Isaac reads it and then berates Charlie for how much it made him cry. It’s a retelling of the story of Patroclus and Achilles in which they are lovers, not just best friends. And it’s brilliant.

Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson

Here’s a bit of a clue to the time of year depicted in episode 5. Isaac is reading this alone in his room at a point when he is struggling with most of his friends being in romantic relationships. It’s a collection of short stories and festive recipes.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Later in episode 5, at the New Year’s Eve party Isaac is reading this. I loved Clarke’s previous novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell so this is another title that’s been on my list a while. It’s a dark mystery that may or may not involve magic. Definitely a good one to devour over a school holiday.

The Ethical Slut by Janet Hardy and Dossie Easton

For something a bit different, in episode 7 we see Isaac reading this in sex ed class. A modern classic of non-fiction, this is a guide to non-traditional relationships, specifically polyamory. A third updated edition was published in 2017.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

In episode 8 Isaac is reading this at the funfair. I hadn’t heard of this at all, but it sounds great. Twins Jude and Noah are incredibly close at 13, but as they navigate their teens, friendship and romance their bond is broken. It’s apparently queer, funny and sad. Much like Heartstopper, so it’s a good final book for this season.

If you’re curious about the books Isaac reads earlier in the show, Meeghan Reads did excellent posts about season one and season two. There are a few titles missing from her lists though so at some point I will make a big mega list. Perhaps it should be my next reading challenge. Have you read any of Isaac’s books? Where should I start?