Heartstopper newcomer Isaac (Tobie Donovan) loves to read. Like, a lot. Fans of the series will have certainly noticed that pretty much every time he’s on screen, he’s in the middle of a different book — and we’re not talking quick reads. This bookworm is constantly deep into 10-book series, sweeping classics and hearty works of nonfiction.

It was author and executive producer Alice Oseman’s decision to make Isaac such a prolific reader. Patrick Walters, the show’s executive producer, says it was written into the script that his character always has a book in hand. “When we got into the pre-production phase of gearing up to film the series with our director, Euros Lyn, we decided to have a running joke throughout the whole series around Isaac’s books — and, essentially, that is that he’s reading something very, very different each time we see him holding a book, and also that he seems to read at the speed of light,” he tells Tudum.

For those looking to add Isaac’s favorites to their own reading lists — and decode a few hidden messages and hints in the process — we teamed up with Walters to create an official rundown of the books of Heartstopper’s first season.

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert Episode 1 When we first see Isaac reading, he’s two books into Frank Herbert’s epic Dune series. “I think Alice had a lot of fun selecting [Isaac’s books],” Walters recalls. “She said to me, ‘It’s always going to be very, very funny if Isaac’s reading super-chunky books that are, like, Book 17 in a series of a huge multi-book sequence — and then, the next day, he’s onto something completely different. Like, wouldn’t that be really funny and iconic?’”

Naruto: Volume 72 by Masashi Kishimoto Episode 2 And speaking of multivolume books, Isaac doesn’t just stick to novels — he’s also a fan of comics and graphic novels. In Episode 2, we learn he’s on the 72nd volume of Naruto, a classic, beloved manga series about a young ninja-in-training.

Quantum Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind and Art Friedman Episode 3 One episode later, Isaac’s seen reading this introductory (but very comprehensive) guide to physics. Naturally, it’s actually a sequel to the 2013 bestseller The Theoretical Minimum: What You Need to Know to Start Doing Physics.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson Episode 4 By Episode 4, Isaac’s on to a new series: He’s reading the first in Holly Jackson’s Good Girl trilogy, a YA book about a teenager who starts to investigate a closed murder case in her sleepy hometown. 

Proud: My Autobiography by Gareth Thomas Episode 4 Oseman, Walters and Lyn had a specific vision for the book Isaac would read on the sidelines as he watched rugby practice. “Alice said that she would love him to be reading a what are the rules of rugby–style book, but we couldn’t find a perfectly titled one,” Walters says. 

He remembers Lyn coming up with the idea to use retired gay rugby player Gareth Thomas’ autobiography. “That speaks to the fact that Isaac, as a character, is always one beat ahead of what’s going on,” he says. “In Episode 4, a lot of the friends are kind of going, ‘Oh, is there something going on between Nick and Charlie?’ And it’s just nice to have Isaac standing there, reading this incredibly pointed queer book.”

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Episode 5 When it comes to the classics, Isaac is clearly an Austenhead. As he plays Monopoly with the squad, he keeps his copy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice close.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman Episode 5 One of the most meta Easter eggs is Isaac’s reading material at the bowling alley — he holds a copy of Oseman’s Radio Silence. Some context for those new to the Alice Osemanverse: Radio Silence tells the story of Aled Last, a friend of Charlie’s in the Heartstopper comics. In the TV series, Aled is replaced by Isaac. But this moment lets the Heartstopper team pay a subtle tribute to Aled’s character.

And there’s something else fans can look out for when they’re rewatching the heartwarming series: “If you listen really, really carefully, you can hear Isaac explaining to Nick the story of Radio Silence as Tao and Elle are talking about Nick and Charlie,” Walters says. “It’s sort of background noise.”

Gender Explorers: Our Stories of Growing Up Trans and Changing the World by Juno Roche Episode 7 At lunch in the cafeteria, Isaac’s buried in Gender Explorers, writer and campaigner Juno Roche’s collection of interviews with young trans people.

There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years by Mike Berners-Lee Episode 8 Finally, in the Season 1 finale, Isaac brings a copy of this book on climate change to field day. There Is No Planet B outlines the steps that we, as individuals, can take to save the world. It’s just like Walters said — Isaac’s always one step ahead.