Faculty Lounge in a few words gives a real “The Secret Life of the American Teacher” vibe and I loved it. I truly did not know what to expect going into this book, but I certainly didn’t expect to laugh, cry, and become so invested in each teacher’s story. From start to finish, I found myself absolutely hooked. I will likely give this one a re-read because I just want more from these characters!

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This one was just not for me. The writing was well done, but it felt like a collection of short stories, where each "main character" had a few chapters highlighted about them. There were large jumps in time that didnt blend with what was being told. I found it difficult to keep up with the story.

As a teacher, I found this book such a fun read. While I teach younger children I could absolutely appreciate all aspects of the education system. It gives a VERY honest view of what being a teacher in a modern school is like! Loved the characters featured and the in-depth stories. Definitely more character than plot but a great read!

You can tell this was written by a teacher - I felt like it perfectly captured the bureaucracy and the difficult parents. This was very light and heartfelt; I enjoyed the weaving together of each character's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. 3.5/5

This book was a collection of short stories about a group of teachers, counselors, custodians, and administrators working at a high school in Texas. Each chapter featured a new character's story.

Overall, it felt like this book was missing something and it's hard to put my finger on exactly what it needed. It was a quick read, but when I finished the book, it felt like there should have been one or two more chapters to tie everything together again, like how the book started with everyone in the faculty lounge. While I appreciated the author featuring a different character in each chapter, there were just a few too many characters to keep track of. Throughout the book, there were several parts I could identify with as a teacher - such as the frustration over the printer in the faculty lounge jamming - making it clear the author took time to research the day-to-day challenges educators face. However, there were so many cringey, borderline inappropriate moments that gave me the ick and overshadowed all of the good moments that I ended up not liking the book at all. The last chapter was absolutely gross. It's tough for me to want to recommend this book to others because it was completely different from what I had expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was a thoroughly entertaining read, with nuanced characters and emotion. It gives a glimpse into the lives of several faculty members at a prestigious public high school over a year.
It's an ode to the teaching profession in every way, and if you've ever been a high school teacher, which I have been, you'll smile throughout. Even if you've just been a high school student, you'll appreciate that the author "gets" it.
She paints each teacher in a different way; older, younger, just finding love, just loving love, and everything in between. Some characters make bad choices, some make brave ones. Everyone is very real.
I have to note, I found the opening to be extraordinarily crass. A teacher is found dead, and it's not handled very sensitively. I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book based on that start, but it does get much better.
The plot is also quite thin, since the purpose of the book it more to give each teacher's back story. There is some general plot, and the thread gets picked up in each new viewpoint, and that's well done. Even though there are many teachers to keep track of, it works.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.

I love this book. I love the individual stories & how they weave together. I could've happily spent more time with each character. Each individual story had a slight surprise but they all felt like real people. And I’m glad we get to see a variety of faculty members. Poignant and heartwarming.

I could not put this down! To anyone who has worked in education, you will find this book filled with insights and anecdotes that make you realize that this book HAD to have been written by a real-life teacher. It’s just so insightful.

Lots of laughs, a few moments of tears, and a lot of heart. This was exceptional.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced reader copy of this book!

The Faculty Lounge addresses a wide variety of issues faced by American educators today and is clearly written by an author who understands their experiences. I especially appreciated Mathieu’s use of multiple perspectives to enrich the story and provide voices to overlooked figures in our society. However, the dialogue and internal character monologues often came across as unrealistically sentimental. I was also confused by the last chapter, which didn’t seem to really fit with the others.

This is a quick read book about the lives of the staff at a large high school. Each chapter gives insight into another staff member's life whether it be personal issues, romantic pursuits, dealing with death, issues with students, or just who they are as people. It all begins when a retired teacher comes back to sub, and is found dead in the lounge. His death reveals some friendships that where unknown to others, as well as some problems for the principal, Overall an enjoyable read. However, it takes a bit to keep all the characters straight I must admit.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am setting this one aside. I am a fan of Mathieu's young adult novels and thought I would enjoy this more as a former teacher. Alas, this book is not for me. I know there are many readers who will enjoy the politics intertwined in the story, but I tire of that with in our hyper-political environment. I do appreciate Mathieu pulling up the shade and allowing readers a look into the teacher profession. Many things rang true from my decade in "the trenches".

This was SO good!! I don’t read a lot of contemporary fiction, but decided to give this one a chance when it was sent to me on NetGalley. This is a very character driven novel and I LOVED each perspective and the segues between them. This novel was so clever and witty and poignant at the same time and I enjoyed every second.

I’m sure I won’t be the first to say it’s a love letter to teachers and school staff.

The book is essentially a series of character studies about different teachers and staff at a large Houston hight school. With each chapter you mainly focus on one person going deep into their lives but the books is also the progress through the school year.

There is so much to love about this book — it’s funny, it’s poignant, it comments on today’s world and the challenges of teaching all while rendering these characters with love and detail. I kept thinking, oh this person is my favorite, only to find myself adoring the next spotlighted teacher even more.

THE FACULTY LOUNGE is delightfully entertaining and am blown away by how much I enjoyed it!!! It’s a brilliantly crafted story filled with endearing characters (and funny though not always trying to be) who find themselves in the most absurd situations (that are fully possible I may add!) after the unexpected passing of an 82 year old substitute teacher.

The author impeccably weaves in and brings attention to darker and heavier subject matters that schools currently face.

I laughed and I cried…I felt so connected to (and fell in love with) Baldwin High School and its faculty that it makes me wish I worked there and I don’t even work in education. So even if you’re not employed at a school, you still must read this!!! 5 glowing stars. Or in this case, I give it an A++.

Much gratitude to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is a book about the true lives of teachers. While it starts with the death of an octogenarian substitute in the teachers lounge and the aftermath of his memorial service, it’s really a collection of snippets of behind the scenes of different teachers at a high school. I absolutely loved how each chapter was a different teacher in each department and how all of their lives, struggles, backgrounds were so different. Having a kid in high school and being of a similar age to some of the teachers they highlighted I really connected with this book. I laughed out loud, I really got emotional at points. It hit so many emotions. It’s so well written. Each character is different but you feel like you know them all. Highly recommend to anyone.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A retired teacher/current substitute dies in the Teacher’s Lounge. He’s carried out by emergency services and life goes on. This story follows a number of staff members (teachers, administrators, cleaning crew, and nursing) as they move through the following school year. Some are deeply affected by the events in the teacher’s lounge, contemplating a loss of a friend or mentor, and some have to move on to deal with the next crisis.

What ends up unfolding in this book is a look at life in a high school. Most stories about teachers focus more on the teaching, or their life outside of work, rather than what it means to work in a school. The chapters are each dedicated to a new main character and deal with everything from - a parent demanding a book be banned for espousing critical race theory, an administrator mourning the death of their spouse while still having to maintain a professional standard at work (or attempt to), a nurse who’s willing to put everything on the line to help a student, and accidentally scattering a substitute teacher’s ashes in the face of a PTO member.

It’s witty, it’s relevant, and it’s a glimpse into a life that most people don’t see or understand. Working in a public school is a difficult and rewarding job, and this book managed to balance both sides. Much like Moxie, this novel gives a voice to people that chronically go unheard. Being set in modern day Texas allows the novel to showcase the best and worst of what educators are students are facing today.

If you work in a school or know someone who works in a school, or frankly even went to high school and thought your math teacher lived in their classroom, you should read this book.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. The ability to have multiple chapters about multiple people but keeping it all connected was a great way to see so many lives and the struggles and successes. The ability to address current affairs such as book bans, critical race theory, Roe v. Wade and your typical teen behavior all in one, makes it relatable to many generations. And there were a few moments where we know the next moments, but it also allows you to make your own assumption of what their lives could be after the topics discussed.

I wish there was a "yearbook" with the list of staff. Not with pictures, but just at least their name and what they do at the school.

I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it for teachers and teachers at heart.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6585149042

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin for the ARC. This was such a lovely read that took us through the different perspectives of the various people working at Baldwin High School. It was both comedic and heartwarming, and also had some lovely depth.

Very multi-layered POVs from all the different characters. Learning about all the teaching staff and faculty takes on the funny and heartbreaking situations that went on was so interesting. The pacing of the story was just right and the multi pov set up kept invested.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for allowing me to read this early! This book was truly stunning. An ode to teachers new and old, the mistakes made, challenges accomplished and struggles that arise with the changing world. This story is true, real and absolutely a must read.