The cover should have tea, not coffee on it, because Jennifer Mathieu spills the tea on what it's like working in public education in America today. It's a zany, satirical, and humorous look at teaching, but I think it would appeal to anyone working in a large staff environment.

This book starts a bit crazy, and there are some zany antics, but honestly much happens, really, and that’s the charm of this novel - it’s about a year of ordinary teachers living their lives, doing their jobs, and reflecting on their careers. I enjoyed getting to know each of them in their chapters, and being a teacher myself I got the sense that there was so much reality here about what teaching is really like. Each part reads like a vignette about that person, but it all comes together into a cohesive whole, and it’s delightful.

CW: abortion, forced pregnancy, forced adoption, death, alcoholism, alcohol, infidelity, school shooting (mentioned), grief, death of a spouse, miscarriage (mentioned), death of a parent, cancer (mentioned), stroke (mentioned)

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group DUTTON for providing me with a free e-ARC of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Chronicling a year in the lives of the faculty and staff of a public high school in Texas, The Faculty Life is both at times a satire and a powerful love letter to the profession. The overt formality of the third-person POV (which kind of tosses between omniscient and limited) does take a moment to get used to, but I think the interesting choice in POV works well for this book. With deep dives in each character featured in this book, Mathieu highlights the complexities and multitudes of the people who work in education as well as share in the challenges and joy this profession brings.

So if you’re looking for a contemporary fiction that accurately portrays what it’s like to work in education or you want a feel-good novel to end the year with, I recommend checking out this book.

The blurb for this book and the actual book do not match. There was no mystery and I felt that the story line was lacking depth. I didn't find it interesting. The book had several different POV's from faculty members reminiscing on fond memories, but I didn't fell a connection to any of them. It was just sweet. I think this would have been better as a short story or maybe if there was an actual mystery. I think it would have been much more interesting if it were framed as a faculty murder mystery party or even a real murder at the school.

What a fun and realistic look into the lives of educators. If you have ever worked in the field of education, you will probably find many connections and also see a lot of the humor. You may even cry a little as you see yourself and your coworkers contained in these pages.

“Oh God, not markers and chart paper,” … “Please God, anything but that.”

The above quote had me rolling because as a teacher, I HATE walking into PDs or meetings where these items are present. I was also rolling with what teachers in the story referred to the TDAF observation system (you’ll have to read to find that one out). 🤣🤣

This book was such a breath of fresh air. To read about all of the random and crazy things that truly do happen on a daily basis at school in a fictional way was wonderful and validating. I love teaching but man are there some days where your mind just reels with “wtf?!”

I felt like this book was pretty damn authentic (except for Lydia’s story) and had me laughing in solidarity during several spots.

4/5 <3
Okay this was actually a lot better than I expected expected??? Super funny, lovable characters, the whole bunch <3 and yet it also is quite deep and left me thinking a lot. Great book!!

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.