Originally published in 1931, The Fortnight in September is a refreshingly charming novel that feels surprisingly contemporary. The Stevenses embark on their annual holiday to the British coast, a highlight of the year for all. Despite the anxieties faced by this working-class family, the parents and children savor the simple pleasures to be found in ordinary experiences. Take it from Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro, who calls the book "the most uplifting, life-affirming novel I can think of." Doesn't that sound nice?