As an educator, I often think about how one "can't make this sh*t up", so Jennifer Mathieu took what she's experienced as a high school teacher for over twenty years and turned it into The Faculty Lounge, a series of vignettes that highlight various teachers and staff in their professional and personal lives over the course of one year. Beginning with the death of a beloved teacher turned substitute teacher and the spreading of his ashes on school grounds, to lockdown, horrible email etiquette, addiction, required "professional development", reassignment, and retirement, Mathieu doesn't shy away from anything educators deal with in a day or school year.

Having taught for eighteen years, I struggled with this novel at first because Mathieu refers to everyone as Mr. or Ms. I have taught in four school districts between PA and VA, and I've rarely referred to my colleagues as Mr. or Ms. (perhaps just administration or mentor teachers). The first few chapters felt very sterile because of this, and it took me a while to get into the novel. It wasn't until Chapter 8 that I finally started to connect with the novel. Chapter 8 highlights Principal Mark Kendricks and is a turning point in the novel. Although Mathieu continues to use Mr. and Ms. she begins to integrate first names of the characters and explores their stories in ways that allow connection between the reader and the characters. The only chapter I connected with prior to Chapter 8 onward was the chapter dealing with the parent email about the classroom text. As a previous English teacher and current librarian, I was emotionally involved with this chapter and the book challenge. I appreciate that Mathieu highlighted this challenge along with the fact that the school did not have a full-time school librarian (she mentions this because the library is used for meetings since it is not staffed).

Overall, Mathieu highlights a variety of challenges facing secondary campuses around the United States. None of the events is unique to Baldwin HS (the fictional school; except perhaps the dead substitute); every day teachers and administrators across the country deal with lockdown, Professional Development outside of their needs and/or wants, questioning whether teaching is right for them, difficult parents, challenges from central administration, and much more. Thank you to Jennifer Mathieu for highlighting the current state of public education in the United States by exploring the humanity of those dedicated to educating youth.

This book was sweet and really liked the characters. With each chapter being their own journey with teaching. The humor in this book is sarcastic which makes the stories feel more real. Not much plot, but still a fun and great read. Thank you Jennifer Mathieu, NetGalley and Dutton for this fun digital arc!

If you don't put this book down and write your favorite teachers a thank you note immediately, you have no heart. Equally parts poignant and raw, "The Faculty Lounge" will finally make you realize that your teachers were far more complicated and complete people than you ever took time to consider they were. Each chapter paints a compelling portrait of a member of the staff of a modern-day Texas High School. From the seasoned veterans to the brand-new teachers, from the administrative staff to the janitorial department every character explored had a depth and richness to their story that was mesmerizing.

All the character portraits were woven together seamlessly through their reaction to the sudden death of a beloved former teacher who happened to pass away in the faculty lounge. I could easily see this making the move to the big screen and winning all the awards because it's ultimately a love letter to the teaching profession, its thankless noble rewards and seriously frustrating stresses. This book will hit you with all the feels and make you re-examine all the teachers who made you through an adult lens. You'll feel like these characters are friends by the end.

The moral of the story is, hug your teachers while they're still here, cherish the contributions of the ones who are gone and vote YES anytime there's an education bill that increases the funding to our public schools!

A great read for the teachers in your life!

When a retired substitute teacher passes away in the faculty lounge of Baldwin High School in Texas, it starts off the whole school year with a bang. It only gets crazier from there. With each chapter following a different teacher or professional at the school, we get to see and learn about all the absurdity that teachers have to deal with on a daily basis.

I thought this book was cute! It kept my interest overall, because each chapter was something different. I liked going through the school year with each character. It was a bit difficult to keep the teachers straight since there are so many of them, but it wasn’t too bad.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton, Jennifer Mathieu, and NetGalley for the eARC!

Houstonian and high school teacher Jennifer Mathieu’s adult debut is a timely and relevant glimpse at today’s issues in schools and a tribute to educators. The story follows a large cast of teachers, administrators, and staff at Baldwin High School, a Texas high school that feels remarkably like Bellaire High School. Infused with heart and hilarity, The Faculty Lounge addresses what it is like to teach at a high school in 2024 – helicopter parents commenting on curriculum choices, school shootings and lockdown drills, social media, book bannings, and more. I really enjoyed the format of The Faculty Lounge; each chapter is told from the point of view of someone working at the school. It was a delight to see how their lives connected as the story unfolds. For readers who like stories infused with humor and heart as well as those who like current events.

Amusing at points and serious and redemptive at others. Accurate portrayal of the complexities and challenges of working in a school. I could do without the LGBTQ and especially the pro abortion themes. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Faculty Lounge takes readers through the lives of faculty both on and off campus after an elderly substitute teacher passes away in the teacher's lounge. Then, a week later, the ashes of the substitute teacher are spread on campus. Meddling parents get wind of this event, and a unique year unfolds for the reader peeking into the lives of the staff.

Human connection, how we handle tough situations, and the joy in everyday moments/careers is the heart of this novel. I found the characters lovable and life-like in this novel. However, at times, it also felt like the story was moving a bit slow for my taste. If you are looking for an in-depth analysis of the above themes, this book will resonate with you.

Thank you Net Galley for this advance reader's copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin House Dutton for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own

Let me start by saying upfront that I usually avoid all books, television and movies that have to do with the teaching profession. Yet some little voice whispered to give this literary fiction about a group of adults who work at Baldwin High School a try. Jennifer Mathieu shows the humanity that exists in a school building. I laughed and I cried and sometimes the characters in the book did make me think of real people( Oh dear!). As someone who now has 18 years under her belt, not all of the situations in this book have happened to me BUT they are realistic.

Chapters focus on different school characters in this Texan high school. However, the main plot seems to be that the series of events happening within the school put their principal's job in jeopardy.

I don't know if this will appeal to all readers BUT it certainly appealed to THIS reader. Very enjoyable!

Expected Publication 23/07/24
Goodreads Review 12/07/24
#TheFacultyLounge #NetGalley.

I’ve worked in elementary, middle, and high schools, and this book rang true for me. It helps the reader to see school staff as humans, with personal lives, problems, and challenges that persist long after the school day ends. There are makeout sessions in a supply closet during lockdown, a former punk rocker who became a beloved school principal, a woman whose grief over the death of her spouse results in her abuse of alcohol, and much more. Read it, and empathize with the humans who devote their lives to educating our children.

This a perfect summer read for educators! This has the making of a TV series - or is there already one? This is a quick read that will have you smiling and also thinking about the unbelievable scenarios in this work. If you work in a school, you know there are many unbelievable things that happen but know they are true! Many find some of the cast of characters very relatable! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

It is hard for me to put into words how much I loved this book. It was hilarious and heartbreaking and so very human. Each character's story was beautifully written, well-developed and authentic, each diving into different problems teachers and people in general are facing. I loved how many issues were covered without it feeling forced or overwhelming. I loved seeing the different personalities of the teachers and then getting a deeper understanding of them when it came to their chapter. I loved the sarcasm and the humor that cut through the heaviness of some of the other topics, making this book a beautiful mix of serious and light. I loved that everyone involved in making a school run - teachers, administration, nurses, cleaners, students, parents - were highlighted and celebrated, leaving nobody out or in the background.

This is possibly one of the most unique books I have ever read as well. There is no single plot or narrative structure. There is no one main character. The school and time push the narrative forward, and each chapter highlights how an individual impacts and is impacted by this. It was really, really beautiful.

I think I extra appreciate this book after teaching at a high school this past year and getting to relate the characters in the book to the personalities I met in real life, but I don't think you need to be a teacher or involved in education to love this book.

Jennifer Mathieu’s The Faculty Lounge offers a poignant yet humorous glimpse into the chaotic and heartfelt lives of the staff at Baldwin High School. The story kicks off with an elderly substitute teacher’s sudden demise in the faculty lounge, sparking a series of events that blend the ordinary with the extraordinary. Far from being a thriller, this novel is a vibrant mosaic of personal stories and professional challenges faced by educators.

Mathieu masterfully weaves a narrative through the eyes of a diverse cast: a former punk rocker turned principal, a rebellious school nurse, and a disillusioned English teacher, among others. Each character is meticulously crafted, their lives depicted with authenticity and warmth. The depiction of their daily struggles—parental interference, bureaucratic hurdles, and the constant balancing act of personal and professional lives—rings true to anyone familiar with the education system.

The book doesn’t shy away from serious topics like grief, addiction, and family dysfunction, yet it maintains a light-hearted tone that keeps the reader engaged. The spontaneous scattering of the substitute’s ashes by concerned parents sets off a chain of events that’s both hilarious and touching. These moments of levity are balanced with deep, reflective passages that explore the characters’ backstories and motivations.

The Faculty Lounge is not just for those in the education sector; it’s a universal tale of human connection and resilience. Mathieu’s insightful and empathetic portrayal of her characters ensures that their stories will resonate with a wide audience. This novel is a testament to the power of storytelling in capturing the essence of everyday heroes in our schools.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a heartfelt, funny, and thought-provoking read, The Faculty Lounge is a testament to the unseen lives of educators and their unyielding spirit. Whether you’re an educator or simply someone who enjoys a well-told story, this book is a must-read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Dutton for sharing this fantastic farce's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

"The Faculty Lounge" will be out on July 23rd 2024.
The book is set in a Texas high school, Baldwin High, and has as its protagonists the teachers and the administration of this school.
The story begins at the moment of the death of one of the teachers, I thought this would make the story a little more thriller, but instead
it is a normal fiction. In my opinion, the story, with or without the professor's death, would have been the same, there are no real developments,
it's more about telling the various characters, in a nice way. But nothing more, unfortunately it didn't impress me much.
But having to deal with many professors, I will definitely recommend them to read it.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very character-driven story where each chapter focuses on a different teacher in a high school. As someone who has a lot of teacher friends, there were a lot of details that I've heard them describe before that felt authentic and personal to the profession. The school is full of hijinks and district-mandated meetings, angry parent emails and lockdown drills. But you also get a personal look into each of the teachers lives and pasts.

My biggest critique is that it often felt a bit too on-the-nose, even veering into caricature at times. It covers such a wide variety of topics–a teacher dying on school property, a lockdown, parents trying to ban books, an alcoholic assistant principal, a young female teacher who was assaulted by an older male teacher in her first year of teaching, the list goes on–that it ended up feeling like a season of Glee that's trying to cover every single "hot" topic it can think of for better ratings.

I do think the writing style itself was fun, but the choice of plot elements left something to be desired.

This book starts out with a bang when a substitute teacher at Baldwin High, one of the largest public schools in Texas, is found dead in the faculty lounge. Each subsequent chapter focuses on a different faculty member at the school as we get a behind the scenes look at the crazy, funny, and frustrating issues they face. This was witty, poignant, and on the nose and touches on book banning, standardized testing, lack of funding, etc. I loved the voice and thought this was chuckle funny at times. As the novel went on, it started to feel more like a series of interconnected short stories. I think teachers and those in the eduction system will especially enjoy this even more. This would make a great beach read too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin House Dutton group for an advanced reader copy.

As I former teacher, I requested this book based on the title and cover alone. I'm so glad I did- it was amazing. It made me miss the community of a school setting and the reward of connecting with students and other educators. It also reminded me of the bureaucracy, testing, and pressure from parents and the district that I do not miss. This is entertaining for sure but also an important reminder of the value of passionate and effective teachers and leaders.

In a novel that feels like connected short stories, we meet a varied and diverse group of teachers, administrators, counselors, and other school staff. The initial and most common setting is of course the public high school where they all work. But then we see them in other contexts, settings and time periods. It was very compelling to meet each character in terms of their role at the school and then dig deeper into their inner dialogue, their personal lives, their history at the school and with one another.

Simply put, Mathieu did a brilliant job.

4/5 Stars! Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the eARC of The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu.

This was a very unique novel and fast-paced story. My husband is a teacher and it was a huge plus that my husband could confirm some of these situations that happen on school grounds. It was very enjoyable and just...a good book. No good guys or bad guys and felt realistic.

"The Faculty Lounge" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that addresses important social issues with honesty and integrity. Jennifer Mathieu's powerful storytelling and nuanced exploration of privilege and accountability make this book a poignant and necessary read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of justice and advocacy in educational settings.

Irreverent, important, and, at times, emotionally evocative. This one is for the teachers, principals, and other school staff. If you don’t work in a school, you might think each of the vignettes in this book are over the top, but let me, as a teacher with family and friends from many different schools, assure you that with different names, disciplines, or situations, they all resonate with reality and, where they do stray into the “hasn’t happened in my world yet,” reflect the fears we face as teachers. (I mean, don’t we all have at least one teacher in our building, perhaps our own self, everyone thinks will probably leave the building the last time via the medical examiner's trolley?) I cringed, laughed out loud, and even held my breath at times hoping that a teacher’s story didn’t turn into “that” story (I won’t give those away!). Mathieu ties up some ends too neatly (that never seems to happen in real schools), but you’ll be happy to learn that the stories we share in public education - both joyful and painful - are not found just in our own little corners of high school (or even k-12) academia.

Thank you to Penguin Group, Dutton, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this much needed story.

This one is for all the teachers and school staff!! You will feel seen.
Mathieu captures all the absurdity and bureaucracy and mixed-feelings about the vocation of education in a modern American high school. I'm not even sure if anyone outside of the field will care as much about this book as we will, or understand the satire and humor entirely! From angry parent emails, faculty meetings, crying in hidden spaces, teacher evaluations, and the obsession over data to saving our students' lives on a regular basis, putting our entire souls into our work, the connections to our coworkers, and the meaning of what we do every day.
Thank you to Jennifer Mathieu for this one--we all know a coworker (or an entire faculty) who will appreciate this big-hearted tale.