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mcmorrdog's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
vixen13's review
So much prose. Not enough plot. The style of a different character every chapter is not for me.
asquared92's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As a school based SLP working in a middle school as well as a daughter and granddaughter of public school teachers, this story was highly relatable and struck a cord. I easily felt like I was there in the story. This book very much read like a love letter to public school educators, and I enjoyed the format. I often found myself laughing, eye rolling, agreeing with their anger at the Central Office, and tearing up with the characters. I was fully immersed in the book from the start. I liked how the story took place over the course of a school year and felt interconnected even as each chapter followed a different character. The ending was heartwarming and a little comical. The epilogue wrapped things up in a full circle sort of way.
nicciobert's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Astute slice of life novel examining the motivations or lacks thereof of teachers and humans in the microcosm of a high school in the US. The book changes perspective from chapter to chapter, but deftly maintains the story arc. Beautifully written, characters are flawed but loveable.
imbeni84's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Admittedly, I went into this one slightly skeptical. I've read a lot of books set in schools that make me wonder if the author has ever actually set foot in a school (especially YA novels set in high schools. No teenager talks like that. And there's not nearly that much drama.) I was refreshingly surprised.
Set in a present day Texas high school, The Faculty Lounge tells the story of a year in life of the Baldwin High School staff. Pretty much every event could have been pulled from my 14 years of teaching (except - thankfully - for the dead sub in the teacher's lounge). The characters felt real, painting teachers as we truly are: not martyrs, not saints - just people doing our best to impact the next generation. I saw pieces of myself in almost every character: the new teacher, optimistic and confused; the veterans who are just over all the nonsense; the counselor struggling with personal loss and simply trying to make it through the day; the teacher who's questioning if this is even what they want.
If anyone wants a realistic look into education in 2024, this is a good place to start. The vignettes provide insight into a variety of perspectives in modern education. What it lacks in plot it makes up for in character.
Admittedly, I went into this one slightly skeptical. I've read a lot of books set in schools that make me wonder if the author has ever actually set foot in a school (especially YA novels set in high schools. No teenager talks like that. And there's not nearly that much drama.) I was refreshingly surprised.
Set in a present day Texas high school, The Faculty Lounge tells the story of a year in life of the Baldwin High School staff. Pretty much every event could have been pulled from my 14 years of teaching (except - thankfully - for the dead sub in the teacher's lounge). The characters felt real, painting teachers as we truly are: not martyrs, not saints - just people doing our best to impact the next generation. I saw pieces of myself in almost every character: the new teacher, optimistic and confused; the veterans who are just over all the nonsense; the counselor struggling with personal loss and simply trying to make it through the day; the teacher who's questioning if this is even what they want.
If anyone wants a realistic look into education in 2024, this is a good place to start. The vignettes provide insight into a variety of perspectives in modern education. What it lacks in plot it makes up for in character.
jhazen's review
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The Faculty Lounge is a realistic and engaging book about the various people who work at the fictitious Baldwin HS in Houston. As an educator with 25 years of experience, i could see myself or various colleagues in the characters of this novel. As a school librarian in Texas, I really hope the naming of the antagonist, Jessica PATTERSON, was no coincidence. : ).
bethsulley's review
5.0
Everyone should read this. Teachers will relate and non-teachers will get a sense of what it's like to work in a school.
As a teacher, this book is incredibly relatable. Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective over the course of a school year. Mostly teachers, but also administrators, the school nurse, the school counselor, and the janitor. Their stories are intertwined and intersect, and all are flawed yet fundamentally good people who just want to do the right thing. I loved seeing the story come full circle.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Net Galley for an ARC to review.
As a teacher, this book is incredibly relatable. Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective over the course of a school year. Mostly teachers, but also administrators, the school nurse, the school counselor, and the janitor. Their stories are intertwined and intersect, and all are flawed yet fundamentally good people who just want to do the right thing. I loved seeing the story come full circle.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Net Galley for an ARC to review.