Spring is the perfect time to pick up a new book — the weather’s nice, classes are wrapping up and one of life’s greatest joys is reading while hammocking in Audubon. Here is Arcade’s list of the best books to try this spring. 

“Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Redemption” by Daniel Jones

This collection features some of the most iconic essays from the Modern Love column of The New York Times. The book tells stories of love in all forms, whether romantic, familial or platonic. From the dating woes of 20-somethings in New York City to the story of a sperm donor reuniting with his biological children after years, this book will put you through the entire spectrum of emotions in its 304 pages.

“Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” by Ross Gay

If the feeling of springtime could be bottled up and infused into a book, the result would be “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude,” a collection of poems that weaves together themes of nature, love and loss. Ross Gay writes eloquently about everything from the grief of losing someone to the beauty of a plant growing through the cracks in the sidewalk, and his mastery of his craft creates poetry that even the most skeptical reader will enjoy.

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This novel chronicles the life of Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood star at the end of her lengthy career who has decided to relay her life story to Monique Grant, a young journalist. As Hugo unravels every detail of her life in Old Hollywood, she reveals her rich romantic history, including her seven husbands and the one true love of her life. Evelyn is a captivating, complex character and after a few chapters you’ll understand why the whole world is dying to hear her tales. 

“Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman

Gail Honeyman’s charming debut novel follows Eleanor Oliphant, a socially inept 29-year-old stuck in her routine of working at her office job, buying frozen pizzas and talking on the phone with her mother. Oliphant’s routine is thrown into question when her and Raymond, an IT employee from her office, rescue Sammy, an old man who suffered a fall. Oliphant’s journey to genuine human connection is equally entertaining and heartbreaking, making this a must-read.