Quaker Summer, by Lisa Sampson

I know it’s winter already so what am I doing reading a summer title? Well, I didn’t get around to it this summer when everyone else was raving about it so I’m playing catch-up. Care to join me?

This was the first book by Lisa Samson that I have read. I checked out her personal website and discovered she has a handful of titles. Quaker Summer (published by Thomas Nelson) won the Women of Faith Novel of the Year no less.

Samson definitely has her own unique writing style. I can’t compare it to any of her other books, of course, seeing that this was a first, so I’m not sure if this is the way she always writes. The story is told in bite-sized chunks, taking you from scene to scene, moment-by-moment. The main protagonist in this story, Heather Curridge, is portrayed as a woman having a quick wit and ready sarcastic remarks. At the conclusion of the book Samson talks a little about Quaker Summer and explains that all of her works tend to revolve around “strong minded women who ultimately come to believe that God has called each of them to serve Him in a unique way.” Heather is indeed a strong personality whose life is filled with shopping trips and upper class women’s activities. She is losing herself in a sea of responsibilities outside of her home, be it her son’s school functions or shopping bags. Then one night she is in a minor car accident which lands her in the company of two women who are involved in Quaker circles. Heather spends a few weeks with these women in recovery, trying to find God’s voice and direction for her life. Ultimately she does find both.

There are plenty of pop culture (and Christian culture!) references within this book to make it identifiable for today’s audience. Elizabeth Elliot and C.S. Lewis both get a snub while Nordstrom and T.J. Maxx profit from Heather’s lifestyle.

The book is creative and certainly would resonate for the modern woman, neck deep in programs and charities who are looking to find out who they really are as women in Christ. The message is strong, I just thought the delivery was a little weak. That being said, it’s full of one-liners and jovial conversations that cracked a smile a time or two. It’s a fast-pace book with much to offer and is definitely unlike other pieces of Christian fiction that I’ve read. Again, it’s Samson’s unique style. If you want a clean read that offers something a little out of the ordinary then I’d heartily recommend this book.

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.