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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.
sarah2019's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
As a teacher, oh my word is this book spot on!!!!! I found myself laughing, rolling my eyes, getting annoyed and getting excited for every character in this book. From the teachers to the principal, to the school nurse and everyone in between. The struggle is real for us teachers! The characters were so well written and I was able to see bits of myself in each one. I was sad when the book ended as I wanted to join the teachers and school staff on their journey through the next year. If you are a teacher READ THIS BOOK. And if you are not a teacher, thank one and then READ THIS BOOK!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of the book.
clhorstmann's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
By the time I was a few chapters into The Faculty Lounge, I knew it would be one of my top reads of the year!
As a high school teacher, this book resonated so much with so many of my experiences. It made me laugh, made me cry, and reminded me of how important a job teaching is even on the days when it’s hard. From the first few pages, I was hooked as I imagined the odd series of events that the started the book happening in my own school. I expected this to be a funny book that chronicled the chaos of working in a high school, but as the school year progressed and we learned more about each of the staff members, I realized it was so much more than that.
Each of the chapters focused on a different member of the school community, which felt a little bit disjointed at first, but were woven together brilliantly by the end. The way we learned about all of the characters was so humanizing and really demonstrated the importance of relationships we build with the people in our lives. In her writing, Mathieu did a beautiful job of highlighting the fact that everyone in the school was an invaluable member of the community, from the custodian to the principal. It really made me reflect on the relationships I’ve built with colleagues and how much they mean to all of us.
This is a book that educators (and fans of Abbott Elementary!) will love, but so will many others. It was a heartwarming story that gave me warm, fuzzy feelings!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an ARC of this title!
As a high school teacher, this book resonated so much with so many of my experiences. It made me laugh, made me cry, and reminded me of how important a job teaching is even on the days when it’s hard. From the first few pages, I was hooked as I imagined the odd series of events that the started the book happening in my own school. I expected this to be a funny book that chronicled the chaos of working in a high school, but as the school year progressed and we learned more about each of the staff members, I realized it was so much more than that.
Each of the chapters focused on a different member of the school community, which felt a little bit disjointed at first, but were woven together brilliantly by the end. The way we learned about all of the characters was so humanizing and really demonstrated the importance of relationships we build with the people in our lives. In her writing, Mathieu did a beautiful job of highlighting the fact that everyone in the school was an invaluable member of the community, from the custodian to the principal. It really made me reflect on the relationships I’ve built with colleagues and how much they mean to all of us.
This is a book that educators (and fans of Abbott Elementary!) will love, but so will many others. It was a heartwarming story that gave me warm, fuzzy feelings!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an ARC of this title!
linipanini's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
I’m not normally the kind of reader that reads this kind of prose, but I must say…this book was excellent. It gave me the warm fuzzies of contentment multiple times, and it felt like staying under the covers on a cold winter morning. I immediately felt an emotional connection to each of the characters in the book, which was only heightened by chapters on each of the major players. Getting insight into what my old teachers must have been thinking was so special and I enjoyed this book thoroughly. My only complaint is that the book was not longer!