Looking for a page-turner to keep you entertained while you relax in the shade this summer? An easy way to find quality reading material is to visit your local library and ask what is popular with book discussion groups. You are likely to get a list that will keep you reading until the leaves start to turn.

The Lang Library's group agreed to suspend discussions during the summer and instead devote time to those titles we wanted to read but missed during the previous year. Consequently, it is a tradition at the last meeting for each member to share his or her “summer reading list.”

Diane plans to finish “The Book Thief” by Markus Zuzak. Zuzak has written a memorable work that is told from the viewpoint of The Grim Reaper.

Even though the story deals with the horrors of the holocaust, the tale includes enough humorous anecdotes of love and friendship to make this an enjoyable read. This book will touch the hearts of everyone who reads it. I highly recommend it. The “Book Thief” is also available on CD and would be good selection for a long car trip with teens.

Karen will be reading “Three Cups of Tea, One man's Mission To Promote Peace ...One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson. It was the topic of discussion at our last meeting but family commitments kept her too busy to read this remarkable biography.

The title at the top of my list, is “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. The story covers three decades of anti-Soviet jihad, civil war and Taliban tyranny through the lives of two women.

Other members like to stock up on “beach reads” during our break. Titles such as “Sugar Queen” by Sarah Addison, the follow up to “Garden Spells” - a book we discussed earlier - also made it on several lists. One reader said Addison's writing “makes me feel as if I'm floating through the story.” Ellen, another member, mentioned that she'd be reading anything by Jennifer Cruise because she always makes her laugh.

Romance stories are especially popular during the summer. Several best- selling authors have newly published books such as: “Rogue” by Danielle Steel, “Sunday at Tiffany's” by James Patterson and “Twenty Wishes” by Debbie Macomber. A lesser know author but equally talented is Jane Green. Her latest book, “Beach House,” takes place on Nantucket Island where the main character, Nan, decide to rent guest rooms for the summer. Slowly, people start moving into the house, filling it with noise, laughter and tears. As the house comes alive again, Nan finds her family expanding and an unexpected visitor turns all their lives upside-down. Be sure to look for it.

If a good mystery is what you are craving, try “Down River” by John Hart, “Midnight Rambler” by John Swain or William Lashner's a “Killer's Kiss.” The 2007 Edgar Award Winner “The Janissary Tree” by Jason Goodwin is the beginning of an impressive new series set during the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Just remember, when you find that special book that stays with you long after turned the last page, be sure to share it with friends for their next book discussion.

Libbie Messina is a librarian at Stewart Lang Memorial Library