I wanted to love this and it started out so strong...a dead body in the faculty lounge and just the hysterics and ridiculousness of life in a comprehensive high school. It was very true to the experience of working in a school. But as the book went on it was much more of a character study than a story that pulled the reader along. It's a good read and definitely would feel familiar to any educator, but was hard for me to stay invested in the second half.

3.5 stars. Teachers have it rough, man.

I thought this book was playful and lighthearted while also navigating complicated and emotional topics with grace. The characters were all interesting - all so different from each other with their job being the only thing they have in common. I enjoyed that we also got to see some emails and text exchanges between the characters which helped move the story along.

Overall I liked it but didn’t love it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Mathieu, and Dutton books for an advanced copy on exchange for an honest review.

The faculty lounge is a heart warming story of a group faculty at Baldwin high school. The story opens with the sudden death of a long-term sub and former teacher, who died in the teacher lounge during lunch break. His son requests that the funeral service be held at the school where he spent so much of his time. The story follows the faculty as they prepare for this service. We spend time with a majority of the facility members and learn their lives both inside and outside of the school. This novel has heart and humor and is a great palette cleanser in between other reads.

Thanks to the publisher for providing this arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a former teacher, I was intrigued by the concept of this book. And after reading it, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a good look at the world of education - from the hard parts to the beautiful parts and everything in between.
It felt like a beautiful tribute to everything teachers do for their students and families.

“That there were more books in the world than he would ever have time to read was equal parts comforting and troubling.”

I work in healthcare and haven’t been involved in the public school system in any way since my daughter graduated over a decade ago. That being said I feel like educators would get much more enjoyment out of this book than I did.

2.5 stars. This book started off so strong with an aging teacher dying on the faculty lounge sofa and some subsequent laugh out loud funny bits. But then it turned into almost a character study of individual teachers and I lost all interest. It ended strong as well by circling back to the history of one of the schools beloved teachers, but not strong enough to redeem the story for me. I skimmed the last 25% just to finish.

Thank you up Netgalley, Dutton Books, and the author for the complimentary copy for review.

YA author Jennifer Mathieu is a high school teacher, and this is her adult debut. I think teaching is amazing and underappreciated job and teachers do so much to shape their students intellectual and emotional growth.

But ..... as a reader I need a book with a plot. For me, The Faculty Lounge lacked structure and forward momentum. It seemed more like a series of humorous antecdotes than an actual novel. Since the author is an experienced and talented writer, I assume this is what she intended and that I'm not the right reader for it.

But if you are looking for a book with a lot of characters and a multi-POV, interconnected vignettes kind of feel, definitely try this out!

Thanks to Penguin Group Dutton Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Holy cow, I FLEW through this book! It was just what I needed after months of just reading out of habit, trying to find something I was really interested in. There are many characters in this book about the life of a school faculty over the course of one school year. At times, I wished the reader would learn more about a particular character before the POV changed to another character, and then I would get invested in THAT character. There was no character in particular that was horrible; you really get invested in the staff of the high school and how all their stories interconnect.

If you care anything about the state of education in America, you’ll probably enjoy this read. It’s very relatable and you can’t help but rooting for everyone!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this novel and imagine those in the teaching profession would like it even more!

I really liked the backstories of the teachers and other employees at the school. I would have even appreciated deeper dives until the lives of these colorful yet believable characters.

As a teacher, I often say “You can’t make this stuff up!” This story opens with a retired teacher, Mr. Lehrer , coming back to Baldwin High to substitute for the day and ending up dying on the ratty faculty room couch. As his final wish is carried out, spreading his ashes around the school courtyard, some of them end up in the face of a very vocal and powerful PTA mom and thus begins the central office’s investigation into what is really going on behind closed doors, pushing principal, Mark Kendricks, into panic mode. Author, Jennifer Mathieu, spends chapter after chapter, a high school English teacher herself, telling the story of the main “characters” of Baldwin and their dreams and downfalls outside of the walls of the school. No; they don’t actually live at the school and have real genuine lives outside of it! Very relatable and funny! The antics may seem far fetched but I was amusingly surprised by how relatable it was!

The phrase “if you know you know” has never rang more true…as a teacher of over 10 years, I absolutely gobbled this up. Everything from the parent e-mails, to the professional development leader who thinks she knows more than the teachers after “spending two years in the trenches with the ‘kiddos’ “ made me laugh out loud. As we usually say in schools, “you couldn’t make this sh*t up if you tried.” And as the Baldwin Principal says, sometimes, we have to laugh so we don’t cry. But we love what we do (because we’re a little bit insane), and this book was a great reminder of why.

✨️ Book Review ✨️ The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu

☆☆☆☆☆

Didn't know what to expect when I started, and it took a bit of time, but by the end, one of my favorites of the year, hands down.

The story kicks off with the death of a well-known, and loved by some, staff member in the faculty lounge at the start of the school year. What follows is a chronicle of events of the rest of the school year, sometimes bizarre, sometimes entertaining, always heartfelt, told through the perspective of different faculty members. Each chapter is a different point of view, and it touches on so many topics and emotions. I cried, I laughed, I didn't want it to end.

And as a product of the US school system, and someone who worked in a school for a few years, it was all so relatable and hilarious, getting insight into systems and thought processes that I am so familiar with.

This is an easy recommend. Go go go and read this one when you get a chance.

Jennifer Mathieu’s The Faculty Lounge is a humorous and heartfelt read that explores the lives of a group of hardworking faculty at a public high school in Texas. There were some laugh out loud moments that felt all too familiar if you’ve ever stepped foot in a school OR had the pleasure of working at one. If you fall into either of these categories, this is a must read book! Each chapter focused on a different faculty member and it was cool to see their different backstories and connections to one another and the events of the school year. The premise of the book was very unique and kept the story centered- from the very first page you are drawn into the world of Baldwin High and what could have possibly led up to elderly Mr. Lehrer dying during his off period on a worn out couch in the faculty lounge. The dynamics of the group made for a very captivating read. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a character-driven story!

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and NetGalley for the e-arc.

Well, this was delightful and so, so relatable! If you have ever worked in a school, in any capacity, you will appreciate this book, no question. You will, inevitably, relate to at least one (but likely way more) of the characters, and the situations they find themselves in. I mean- you are, hopefully, not going to find an old colleague deceased in the lounge, I'll give you that. But the other, more day-to-day stuff? Oh, you have no idea.

And wow, the emotions! It ran the gamut, frankly. Many of the storylines pulled at my heartstrings, whereas others made me laugh out loud. Plenty did both, frankly. There is also a lot of fabulous commentary on the state of education. I also always felt such sadness for teachers in certain states, which of course, includes Texas. They tread on eggshells far sharper than those we have to worry about in bluer leaning areas, which, frankly, makes them even bigger superheroes in my book.

If you don't have any particular experience in the education system, the story is still quite entertaining! We certainly all have experience being a student, holding jobs, dealing with bureaucracy, etc., so there is absolutely something for everyone to relate to. And hey, you just might feel a bit more camaraderie and empathy for those of us in the trenches. Frankly, it made me feel so seen, and I will absolutely be gifting this one to colleagues and friends!

Bottom Line: Heartfelt, warm, funny, and emotional, this book has something for everyone- and extra especially for anyone who has the experience of working in schools, trust that you need this in your life!

Imagine you're reading a book version of The Office in a high school setting, except it's not funny and the story hardly moves and you only get character backstories with too much sexual detail. That's The Faculty Lounge. Not for me. I do appreciate the acknowledgement of the weird, happy, sad, fulfilling, overwhelming, confusing, and enlightening public high school environment. Other than that, meh. Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. I'm sorry it took me so long to get through it.

As a high school history teacher, I’ve read my fair share of books about education, but none have captured the essence of our profession as compellingly as The Faculty Lounge. This book is a delightful and insightful exploration of the inner workings of a school, blending humor, warmth, and realism into a narrative that is both engaging and profoundly humanizing.

What sets The Faculty Lounge apart is its authentic portrayal of teachers as multidimensional individuals. In a climate where educators are often reduced to political pawns or mere statistics, this book reminds us of the real lives behind the profession. It vividly depicts the joys, struggles, and camaraderie that define the daily experience of teachers, making it a breath of fresh air amidst the prevailing discourse.

The book’s quirky characters and their interactions offer a refreshing perspective on school life, illustrating how personal stories and professional responsibilities intertwine. The depiction of the faculty lounge—a space that often serves as the heart of a school—captures the essence of our community, where we share laughter, concerns, and support.

The Faculty Lounge is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human side of teaching. It provides a wholesome portrayal that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, affirming the dedication and passion of educators. It is a testament to the power of storytelling in fostering empathy and appreciation for the teaching profession.

The Faculty Lounge is a five-star read for its ability to offer a heartfelt, realistic glimpse into the world of education. It is a celebration of the unsung heroes in our schools and a poignant reminder of the impact they have on their students and communities.

Loved this one! The joy these characters find in fulfilling their purpose is evident throughout this witty and warm book.

The story unfolded from the perspective of a different teacher each chapter but with one seasoned teacher, Mr. Lehrer, interwoven into their stories. I was able to get to know each staff member and their unique story as well as have a better grasp on the impact Mr. Lehrer made.

This gave a peek into the different personalities of several unforgettable teachers, what they did or didn’t enjoy about the job, the relationships that evolved and why they chose to work in public education. An underlying theme I felt was how much this career choice was weaved into the inner workings of who they were. The nuances of a teaching career and all the challenges from state and district level expectations, parent relationships, and staff dynamics were highlighted.

This book brought back so many feelings I resonated with from my days in the classroom. I felt a connection with each character and was cheering them on. I also loved that this was written by a fellow Houstonian and was also based in Houston!

Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for this eARC!

This was such a good read filled with the inner workings of the school system and school politics. As a daughter of a teacher, this felt nostalgic for me remembering all the things my mother went through being a teacher. I found this to be an incredible character study and think it's so important to uplift teachers because they are truly some of the hardest workers.

Author Jennifer Mathieu’s debut in adult-fiction, The Faculty Lounge, is a tender and excellent character study centered at Baldwin High School in Houston, Texas. The dramatic beginning of the novel features the death of an elderly substitute teacher, Mr. Lehrer, who was also a long-time, beloved teacher at Baldwin High School. From there the surviving faculty take the spotlight.

Every chapter features a different faculty member who was present at the ill-fated spreading of Mr. Lehrer’s ashes. I truly enjoyed how most of those chapters highlighted some significant way the Mr. Lehrer interacted with the narrator of the chapter. It breathed life into this secondary, yet primary, character, and it brought a tenderness to the staff relationships. The faculty varied from the idealistic first-year teacher to the should-have-retired-last-year jaded teacher to the beloved school nurse. One of my favorites was Mr. Kendricks, the former punk-rocker turned teacher turned principal, who is loved by the staff for his support, attitude and commitment. He reminded me of a principal I once worked with (she was not a punk rocker).

The teacher-school-district tightrope is featured in several situations throughout the story, and it felt oh-so-true. The texts and emails between staff, the district and parents are hilarious—especially if you have ever worked at a school. While this school-centric story will resonate with current and past public school staff, it is a universal story of human connection. The author’s empathetic characterizations give all readers a relatable character/situation.

This heartfelt, funny story was a home run for me.

This one was enjoyable as a fellow teacher. I loved the quirks of different personalities working together. But I ultimately felt disappointed nothing happened at the end or tied it all together!

I loved this book! This book made me laugh and even gasp a few times. As a teacher I was able to connect with every story and every relationship that was built. I felt all of the feelings these teachers and admins felt. It was very enlightening to see many educators thoughts and views are the same.