Spotlight by ashley roberts
If I say the name Alice Oseman, I’m certain most of you reading this will think of Heartstopper, the bestselling graphic novel and heart-warming Netflix show, however there’s plenty more to Alice than just Heartstopper. Come with me as I take you on a journey as we travel through…The Osemanverse.
If you’re interested in any of these books, click on the image and it will direct you to Amazon*
The Author
Alice Oseman is an award winning author, illustrator and now screenwriter. The writer of four YA novels and creator/writer/illustrator of webcomic Heartstopper along with the accompanying short stories Nick and Charlie and This winter. Alice released her first novel, Solitaire, when she was nineteen and it is there that we begin our journey.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
Solitaire
First published: 31.07.2014 (UK) – Harper Collins, 03.01.2023 (US) – Scholastic
Solitaire centres around Victoria Spring, or Tori. A 16-year-old pessimistic year 12 student. Whilst trying to manage with family and metal health issues Tori helps her new “friend” Michael with investigating the uprising of a prank group named Solitaire. I put friend in quotation marks because in Tori’s own words, “I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden, I really don’t”.
Solitaire is also where we first meet Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring. Charlie is Tori’s brother and the two appear in Solitaire. Although Solitaire was released first Nick and Charlie are already an established couple, the events of solitaire happen around the time of Volume 4 of Heartstopper and although mentioned no plot of solitaire is revealed in Heartstopper.
Heartstopper
First published: 2016 onwards (still in progress)
Starting life as a webcomic, Heartstopper has since been released as a multiple volume book and more recently a Netflix adaptation TV show. The comic follows two students, Charlie, and Nick. Nick is the school Rugby captain and a popular student; Charlie is the music loving openly gay student. After being assigned seats next to each other in their form room their friendship soon blossoms and eventually they fall in love.
Nick and Charlie’s love story is the main plotline of Heartstopper it does however also include other storylines too including coming to terms with sexuality, eating disorders, coming out, bullying, mental health and more.
We learn more about Nick and Charlies relationship in the Novellas Nick and Charlie and This Winter, which preceded Heartstopper.
Nick And Charlie
First Released: 16.07.2015 (eBook) 06.08.2020 (paperback) (UK) – Harper Collins, 03.01.2023 (US) – Scholastic
Nick and Charlie is a novella set as Nick is preparing to go away for university and shows the struggle of being a couple during this time and the questioning of whether Nick and Charlie’s love is strong enough to survive the distance and time apart.
This Winter
First Released: 05.11.2015 (eBook) 15.10.2020 (paperback) (UK) – Harper Collins
This Winter is a novella set the winter before the events of Solitaire. It is written in the different perspectives of the Spring siblings: Charlie, Tori, and Oliver as they come to terms with dealing with mental health around family and friends.
Radio Silence
First Released: 25.02.2016 (UK) – Harper Collins
Frances has one goal, to go to Cambridge University, constantly studying nothing is going to stop her. That is until she meets Aled Last, the secret creator of her favourite podcast and she can finally be herself. However, when Aled’s identity is revealed as ‘Radio Silence’ due to mistakes made by Frances she must deal with the falling apart of their friendship.
Along with the podcast, Frances’ also needs to help Aled with his sister Carys who disappeared, and Frances feels like she knows the reason why but there is more to the story than meets the eye.
I Was Born For This
First published: 03.05.2018 (UK) – Harper Collins, 18.10.2022 (US) – Scholastic
I was born for this follows the perspective of two characters, Angel Rahimi and Jimmy Kaga-Ricci. Jimmy is the frontman of the band The Ark. Angel is their biggest fan.
Whilst Jimmy is realising the fact that his dream of being in a band may not be all its cracked up to be, Angel is beginning to realise her life revolving around The Ark may not be for the best, and when their lives are unexpectedly forced together can they come to terms with these realisations?
Loveless
First published: 09.07.2020 (UK) – Harper Collins, 01.03.2022 (US) – Scholastic
Georgia is just starting university, she’s never been in love, never had a crush and never kissed anyone but she’s certain that she will eventually find the right person.
When Georgia’s love life starts interfering with her friendships, she starts to question herself, especially when she learns some new terms: asexuality and aromantic. Loveless themes around mental health of sexuality and how this can affect your relationships and friendships.
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