When one of their own is found dead on the old dingy couch in the faculty lounge, his colleagues at Baldwin High School are left with chaos that follows. We peer into each of their lives briefly, through unlikely friendships, awkward situations, and the ups and downs of being educators.

Some of the storylines I could do without, which is common for such a cast of characters. This was also highly political. But I think anyone who has experienced public school in a way could find something in here to connect with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton books.

A substitute teacher dies in the teacher faculty lounge at Baldwin High School, and the rest of the year pretty much falls into chaos afterward.

Many of the staff at Baldwin High School have each experienced their own escapades in and out of the classroom. Their lives don't stop after the bell rings, and they deal with everyday living just like other people.

This story delves into the humanity of these staff members and the professionalism they must represent while school is in session and the struggles some deal with in their personal lives after. It is a novel, dissecting with inmate appraisal, the lives and thoughts of teachers, and humanizing them.

Mathieu skillfully captures the complexities of workplace politics, the emotional labor of teaching, and the search for personal fulfillment. The characters are sharply drawn, flawed, and relatable, making the novel both humorous and poignant.

At its core, The Faculty Lounge is about self-discovery, compromise, and the challenges of balancing professional expectations with personal needs. It’s a thoughtful, engaging read that will resonate with anyone familiar with the dynamics of a workplace or the struggles of finding purpose in a demanding job.

As a former school teacher, this book was so nostalgic for me. The camaraderie in a school is so special and hard to replicate, but Jennifer Mathieu captured it perfectly in this book. It was less of a novel and more of a series of short stories connected by a singular event, but I really enjoyed it. It's a great critique of how absolutely bonkers some things are in education really are, but at the end of the day it's about doing what's best for students. Laugh out loud funny and SO accurate in many ways.

Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If you've ever spent a day in a high school, you'll recognize the characters in [Book Title]. This darkly comedic novel follows a group of overworked and underappreciated teachers as they navigate the chaos of their daily lives. From the jaded veteran to the idealistic newcomer, each character is flawed, funny, and all too real. With its sharp wit and biting satire, this book is a must-read for anyone who has ever worked in education.

Note: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. I really liked how you got some insight into what all the characters in this story were going through! We so often get caught up in our own lives and drama without realizing that others are going through their own struggles. I really enjoyed how the author explored that, all focusing around a dead teacher in the faculty lounge. I would recommend if you enjoy fiction and heartfelt books!

Oh my, this book was amazing! Seriously, that's an automatic 5 stars when a book makes me cry, and The Faculty Lounge made me a blubbering mess.

This was absolutely brilliantly written, and it felt so real and honest. A book truly dedicated to telling the story of life in a public school setting. It's a funny, emotional, and heartfelt love letter to all educators. I can't recommend this book enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Book Review:
Title: The Faculty Lounge
Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

“A celebration of teachers who remain heroically human in nearly impossible times… The Faculty Lounge is a hell of a way to announce a major new voice in adult fiction. I loved it.”—Steven Rowley, New York Times bestselling author of The Guncle

This book took a while for me to finish, but it was pretty good. It's kinda like a behind the scenes look at what really goes on with the teachers and faculty at a public school. Everything from death, disciplinary action, rule breakers, controversy, job cuts, etc, which makes you wonder why anyone would want to become a teacher or work in a school!!

Published: July 23rd, 2024

Thank you, @netgalley, and @duttonbooks, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I found this book entertaining. I have never worked in a school before and am not a teacher but I think it’s still relatable, though not as funny if you work in a school, I would think.
A very funny and interesting story about people and how they work and relate to one another.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC

What a weird, fun read! Maybe this might not have the same appeal to someone who hasn’t actually WORKED at a school, but I found the characters memorable and relatable. I’d love to read more from this author.

Loved this one. So many reminders of what I deal with as a teacher. Grateful for the ARC and will be recommending to all my teacher friends.

As a teacher, I can relate to so many of the things in this book. I made so many notes on my Kindle. I love how each chapter or 2 is about different teachers in the book.

Does this woman have cameras at my job? You can see every character she describes in every school. It had all of the chaos, heart, love, and just a great ensemble of teachers.

I am not in a career of education but I loved this book. Educators will eat this up.

The sarcasm and wit in this story found me laughing more than I would have thought.

A variety of characters, admittedly some much more interesting than others, but isn’t that the simple reality of the workforce making this story more relatable in some aspects.

This was a little slow and it picks up as it gets along but the characters seemed to be described in ways that weren't engaging or attention holding as a reader. I enjoyed the whodunnit plot and cosy mystery plot.

If you have ever worked in a high school, you’ll like this one. It gave me “Abbot Elementary” vibes! It is definitely rated “R” and touches on some triggering topics but it also has parts that will resonate with you. The book starts when an elderly substitute teacher at Baldwin High School is found dead in the faculty lounge. After the initial panic, life quickly returns to normal—it’s not like it’s the worst (or even most interesting) thing that has happened within the building’s walls. Each chapter is told from a different faculty member’s perspective and I guarantee you’ll recognize some characteristics of people you have worked with before!

This book sat partially read on my Kindle for months and I’m not sure why it took me so long to be engaged because it’s good. I enjoyed the glimpses into the various teachers’ and staff members’ lives, which made for a satisfying tableau of the community at Baldwin High. There is no obvious resolution to the characters’ struggles or joys, just a quiet yet wry portrayal of the people struggling to provide an education to teenagers in a post-COVID world. It’s effective in that I felt drawn in by the individual stories without feeling frustrated to not have resolution.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This is the kind of book you must read, especially if you’ve ever been part of the teaching profession or worked in an educational setting (like myself). It truly captures the type of life behind the scenes in schools.

While the story is easy to read and relatable, I found myself waiting for something big and exciting to happen—and it never really did. Still, it offers an authentic glimpse into the highs and lows of school life, but don’t expect a lot of drama or plot twists.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Author of Moxie, Jennifer Mathieu brings us a delightful story showing the lives and relationships inside Baldwin High School.

The reader can really dive into the minds of teachers, administrators and school’s personnel. As a teacher myself, I truly appreciated how the author could show the humanizing lives outside the school’s gates.

The story starts with the death of a retired teacher who comes back to Baldwin to work as a substitute. Throughout the narrative, the author shows different points of view, from each member of the school staff, after Mr Lehrer’s death and scatering of ashes over the school surroundings.

It’s a perfect narrative for those who want to dig in a school’s spirit and soul. The Faculty Lounge shows how different people come to find their ways and make sense of their lives inside Baldwin High.

This was a DNF for me unfortunately. I think this is a case of it's not you it's me. I saw so many amazing reviews but, as someone who is not a teacher and does not know a lot of teachers, I couldn't quite relate to the story. There were also a bit too many characters to keep track of and feel invested in.