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Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes
Perfect for fans of Where'd You Go, Bernadette and Small Admissions, a wry and cleverly observed debut novel about the privileged bubble that is Liston Heights High--the micro-managing parents, the overworked teachers, and the students caught in the middle--and the fallout for each of them when the bubble finally bursts.
Isobel Johnson knows helicopter parents like Julia Abbott--a stage mom whose world revolves around interfering in her children's lives--come with the territory. Julia resents teachers like Isobel, who effortlessly bond with students, including Julia's own teenagers, who have started pulling further away from her.
Isobel has spent her teaching career in Liston Heights side-stepping the community's high-powered families. But when she receives a threatening voicemail accusing her of Anti-Americanism and a "blatant liberal agenda," she realizes she's squarely in the fray. Rather than cowering, Isobel doubles down on her social-justice ideals. Meanwhile, Julia, obsessed with the casting of the high school's winter musical, inadvertently shoves the female student lead after sneaking onto the school campus. The damning video footage goes viral and has far-reaching consequences for Julia and her entire family.
With nothing to unite them beyond the sting of humiliation from public meltdowns, Isobel and Julia will find common ground where they least expect it, confronting a secret Facebook gossip site that's stirring up more trouble for this tumultuous, fractured school community.
Isobel Johnson knows helicopter parents like Julia Abbott--a stage mom whose world revolves around interfering in her children's lives--come with the territory. Julia resents teachers like Isobel, who effortlessly bond with students, including Julia's own teenagers, who have started pulling further away from her.
Isobel has spent her teaching career in Liston Heights side-stepping the community's high-powered families. But when she receives a threatening voicemail accusing her of Anti-Americanism and a "blatant liberal agenda," she realizes she's squarely in the fray. Rather than cowering, Isobel doubles down on her social-justice ideals. Meanwhile, Julia, obsessed with the casting of the high school's winter musical, inadvertently shoves the female student lead after sneaking onto the school campus. The damning video footage goes viral and has far-reaching consequences for Julia and her entire family.
With nothing to unite them beyond the sting of humiliation from public meltdowns, Isobel and Julia will find common ground where they least expect it, confronting a secret Facebook gossip site that's stirring up more trouble for this tumultuous, fractured school community.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2020
528 people are currently reading
11039 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 867 reviews
May 17, 2020
3.5*
An entertaining and at times, unsettling look at adult behavior in the name of child rearing.
Julia is an over the-top helicopter parent. Like any good parent she wants the best for two children, but insists on relentlessly enmeshing herself in every waking moment of their lives.
Isobel is a teacher at the prestigious high school Julias’ kids attend, striving to give her students the best, well-rounded education. Though all the parents may not be on board with her approach.
Played out in multiple POVs’ from Isabel and Julia, as well as many supporting characters. The story-line flowed seamlessly, making it easy to keep all the perspectives separate and clear.
While I’m normally hit and miss with contemporary fiction, I was fascinated how the author wove the story of these two women.
A well-written debut from an author we’ll hopefully be seeing more of.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for an ARC to read and review.
An entertaining and at times, unsettling look at adult behavior in the name of child rearing.
Julia is an over the-top helicopter parent. Like any good parent she wants the best for two children, but insists on relentlessly enmeshing herself in every waking moment of their lives.
Isobel is a teacher at the prestigious high school Julias’ kids attend, striving to give her students the best, well-rounded education. Though all the parents may not be on board with her approach.
Played out in multiple POVs’ from Isabel and Julia, as well as many supporting characters. The story-line flowed seamlessly, making it easy to keep all the perspectives separate and clear.
While I’m normally hit and miss with contemporary fiction, I was fascinated how the author wove the story of these two women.
A well-written debut from an author we’ll hopefully be seeing more of.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for an ARC to read and review.
February 22, 2020
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
This was a clever and entertaining read about parents behaving badly.
I really liked the cover of this book and the description was intriguing. So many books about high school seem to be about students misbehaving. This one is different as it is mostly parents and other adults behaving badly.
Isobel Johnson is a teacher at Liston Heights High which is currently the top public high school in Minnesota. Isobel frequently deals with concerns from over-involved helicopter parents, but even she’s surprised when “a concerned parent” leaves a rather threatening voice mail on her home phone early one morning.
Isobel is aware that the principal and some of her colleagues think she should stick to the board-approved curriculum. But Isobel wonders who WILL speak up if she doesn’t? She just wants her students to see literature as well as the rest of the world in new ways and to think about what really matters in life. “Her intention was to influence the kids who had the power to make big changes in society”. Isobel’s recent performance review had gone well but she knows how quickly things can change. When she's called into a meeting with her superiors regarding some other complaints she worries that her job might be at risk.
Julia Abbott’s world revolves around her two teenage children, Andrew and Tracy. Like most parents Julia wants her children to succeed. If that means she needs to step in sometimes then so be it out. Julia isn't a big fan of her daughter’s English teacher, Mrs. Johnson. She feels like Mrs. Johnson has some radical ideas and Julia really doesn’t like her teaching methods. She wonders if she should get some of the other parents involved…
Everyone is excited about the school’s upcoming musical. After the cast list is finally posted, drama ensues leading to an unfortunate incident that goes viral. Not long after that, a secret “behind the scenes” Facebook account is discovered.
The incident and the Facebook account will have far-reaching consequences for many of those directly and indirectly involved.
Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes was a very enjoyable read.
The majority of the story is told from Isobel and Julia's point of view but we hear from other teachers, parents, the principal, students, and more. Some characters just have a couple of pages but it was still nice to hear their point of view. I really liked the short chapters.
This is definitely a timely read. It was a thought-provoking story that deals with issues like teaching, parenting, rumors, social media, relationships and more. Realistic in many ways and pure entertainment in others.
All in all a humorous, intriguing, and clever debut novel.
I'd like to thank Berkley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
May 20, 2020
3.75 Stars
When Gossip runs Amok. Amok, Amok, Amok!
Ah, High School.
For Julia, the ultimate ‘Helicopter Parent’ and for Isobel the wronged English Teacher, all is not well.
Julia's life has revolved around her children, especially her son Andrew, who recently tried out for a part in the school play. Julia, desperate to know the outcome, got a little too involved you see. By that I mean that she snuck into the school and took a gander at the Cast List and got into an altercation with a student which was caught on videotaped (oopsie!), and posted to social media. The post went VIRAL and now Julia has been outcast, by her family and everyone else. Too bad, so sad!
Then there’s Isobel, beloved teacher. Her students just adore her - if only the parents could say the same. When she receives a spiteful voicemail from an angry parent, her curriculum is called into question.
Social Media stirs this pot to the extreme. It’s a train wreck where you desperately want to tear your eyes away but can’t help but stare in fascination.
At times comical and entertaining, at times oddly sad, desperate and highly relevant. “Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes” by Kathleen West is an interesting read which kept me captivated throughout.
Another buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and Kathleen West for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 5.17.20.
When Gossip runs Amok. Amok, Amok, Amok!
Ah, High School.
For Julia, the ultimate ‘Helicopter Parent’ and for Isobel the wronged English Teacher, all is not well.
Julia's life has revolved around her children, especially her son Andrew, who recently tried out for a part in the school play. Julia, desperate to know the outcome, got a little too involved you see. By that I mean that she snuck into the school and took a gander at the Cast List and got into an altercation with a student which was caught on videotaped (oopsie!), and posted to social media. The post went VIRAL and now Julia has been outcast, by her family and everyone else. Too bad, so sad!
Then there’s Isobel, beloved teacher. Her students just adore her - if only the parents could say the same. When she receives a spiteful voicemail from an angry parent, her curriculum is called into question.
Social Media stirs this pot to the extreme. It’s a train wreck where you desperately want to tear your eyes away but can’t help but stare in fascination.
At times comical and entertaining, at times oddly sad, desperate and highly relevant. “Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes” by Kathleen West is an interesting read which kept me captivated throughout.
Another buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and Kathleen West for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 5.17.20.
March 11, 2020
If you don’t have anything nice to say, you’re not supposed to say anything at all.
Luckily, I have one nice thing to say about this book: It was readable and quick.
Everything else I have to say is not nice, but I cleared the minimum nice thing requirement so I’m allowed to say it anyway.
This was so unpleasant to read.
This markets itself as being about two women who have fallen from grace who find themselves forced together, but that is a lie. It is a blatant falsehood.
This is about two women who hate each other and deliberately try to ruin each other’s lives, and then several other female characters who also get involved in the ruining.
In 2020, this is a book about girl hate. Exclusively.
It’s like my nightmare was realized and then captured in 300 pages which I then had to read.
These two women who have been allegedly ~forced to team up and work together~ don’t even reconcile until, legitimately, about five pages from the end.
And AS IF THAT WEREN’T ENOUGH.
All of these characters are unlikable.
There’s Isobel, the white liberal teacher who insists on holding children accountable for their privilege as a way of paying penance for her dad’s white collar crimes.
And Julia, the helicopter mom who, no joke, punches a kid. (By accident, but she’s still a d*ck, don’t you worry.)
Jamie, the young teacher who sabotages her mentor for a step up.
Robin, Julia’s friend who backstabs her the second she gets.
Tracy, Julia’s daughter, who is weirdly obsessed with Isobel.
Andrew, Julia’s son, who is so passionless and without ambition that he has no interests or hobbies beyond being a member of the chorus in high school theater. (And god forbid it’s anything but the chorus.)
Henry, Julia’s husband, who forced her to be a stay at home mom and does nothing but condescend to her.
Top it off with Mary, Wayne, Amanda, Eleanor, Lyle, and all the members of the school faculty who manage to be annoying in their own unique way and we’re off to the races!
Also...was this sponsored? There are so many name-drops of Odwalla juice drinks and Smartwool socks. I mean, no shame, secure that money, but wow. Seriously at least 6 mentions of Odwalla green smoothies.
Do you, though.
Bottom line: I really hated this! Sorry!
---------
note to self: don't assume i'll like a book just because the title is a pun.
review to come / 1 star
---------
hehe..."minor dramas"...because this is a book about small emotional events and also about children's theater...drama performed by minors...ha ha ha
yay puns?
(thanks to the publisher for the ARC)
Luckily, I have one nice thing to say about this book: It was readable and quick.
Everything else I have to say is not nice, but I cleared the minimum nice thing requirement so I’m allowed to say it anyway.
This was so unpleasant to read.
This markets itself as being about two women who have fallen from grace who find themselves forced together, but that is a lie. It is a blatant falsehood.
This is about two women who hate each other and deliberately try to ruin each other’s lives, and then several other female characters who also get involved in the ruining.
In 2020, this is a book about girl hate. Exclusively.
It’s like my nightmare was realized and then captured in 300 pages which I then had to read.
These two women who have been allegedly ~forced to team up and work together~ don’t even reconcile until, legitimately, about five pages from the end.
And AS IF THAT WEREN’T ENOUGH.
All of these characters are unlikable.
There’s Isobel, the white liberal teacher who insists on holding children accountable for their privilege as a way of paying penance for her dad’s white collar crimes.
And Julia, the helicopter mom who, no joke, punches a kid. (By accident, but she’s still a d*ck, don’t you worry.)
Jamie, the young teacher who sabotages her mentor for a step up.
Robin, Julia’s friend who backstabs her the second she gets.
Tracy, Julia’s daughter, who is weirdly obsessed with Isobel.
Andrew, Julia’s son, who is so passionless and without ambition that he has no interests or hobbies beyond being a member of the chorus in high school theater. (And god forbid it’s anything but the chorus.)
Henry, Julia’s husband, who forced her to be a stay at home mom and does nothing but condescend to her.
Top it off with Mary, Wayne, Amanda, Eleanor, Lyle, and all the members of the school faculty who manage to be annoying in their own unique way and we’re off to the races!
Also...was this sponsored? There are so many name-drops of Odwalla juice drinks and Smartwool socks. I mean, no shame, secure that money, but wow. Seriously at least 6 mentions of Odwalla green smoothies.
Do you, though.
Bottom line: I really hated this! Sorry!
---------
note to self: don't assume i'll like a book just because the title is a pun.
review to come / 1 star
---------
hehe..."minor dramas"...because this is a book about small emotional events and also about children's theater...drama performed by minors...ha ha ha
yay puns?
(thanks to the publisher for the ARC)
February 15, 2020
Entertaining, engaging, relevant. Cathleen West’s debut was such a great read! Adults behaving badly... yes please! I really do enjoy these books about over the top helicopter parents. I was both a dance mom and a baseball mom and I know how easy it is to get caught up in all of it. I can always see a little piece of myself in these parents and I am so glad I never fell down that helicopter rabbit hole (it was close though). Julia is the ultimate helicopter mom, she just cannot wait to find out if her son Andrew got a part in the school’s theater production. When she can wait no longer she shows up at school to check out the cast list for herself, this leads to an unfortunate accidental altercation with a student that of course is videoed. When the video goes viral Julia her husband, and of course her kids are all humiliated. Isabell is a passionate teacher who really cares for her students, but always pushes the line. But not all the parents including Julia are in favor of Isabels agenda. Both Julia and Isabell fall victim to a secret Facebook group that just fuels the fire. What follows is a fun lighthearted entertaining story that will make you laugh at how crazy we all can sometimes be.
The story is told from multiple perspectives not only that of Julia and Isabell, but also of the husband, the kids, the principal, and other teachers. Even with all these different characters perspectives I was never confused and I thought it really added so much to the story. Julia was definitely an easy character to hate, but she did become a little more sympathetic as the story evolved. Isabell was an awesome teacher and I loved her passion, but I had to think how I would feel if she was pushing my kids in a direction I did not want them to be? I actually think I’d be OK, I’d have to trust that I had raised my kids to think for themselves. This book touches on a lot of serious subject matter, but handles it in a lighthearted readable relatable way. This book will appeal to all parents for sure, but I think it will be a fun read for anyone who enjoys stories about human nature.
This book in emojis. 🍏🏫👩🏼🎓👩🏫🚁📙✏️🎒🍎
***Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
The story is told from multiple perspectives not only that of Julia and Isabell, but also of the husband, the kids, the principal, and other teachers. Even with all these different characters perspectives I was never confused and I thought it really added so much to the story. Julia was definitely an easy character to hate, but she did become a little more sympathetic as the story evolved. Isabell was an awesome teacher and I loved her passion, but I had to think how I would feel if she was pushing my kids in a direction I did not want them to be? I actually think I’d be OK, I’d have to trust that I had raised my kids to think for themselves. This book touches on a lot of serious subject matter, but handles it in a lighthearted readable relatable way. This book will appeal to all parents for sure, but I think it will be a fun read for anyone who enjoys stories about human nature.
This book in emojis. 🍏🏫👩🏼🎓👩🏫🚁📙✏️🎒🍎
***Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
February 4, 2020
Another winning from our “not our normal read” stack of books that Elisha from Berkley sends our way!!
Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes by Kathleen West was such a great surprise for me and I loved the different take she took on high school politics, the privileged bubble and those overbearing parents known as helicopter parents. She takes an interesting and sharp look through helicopter mother Julia who becomes the gossip of the school and teacher Isobel whose teaching methods come under fire by those helicopter parents. They find themselves each with a different conflict that catches up to them on social media and through the students’ POV, we see how they become the ones with the voice of reason.
The clean tone and tight plotting around the adults behaving badly keeps the drama low and there is no teenage drama, allowing the story to be fun and entertaining from start to finish.
I received a copy from the publisher.
Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes by Kathleen West was such a great surprise for me and I loved the different take she took on high school politics, the privileged bubble and those overbearing parents known as helicopter parents. She takes an interesting and sharp look through helicopter mother Julia who becomes the gossip of the school and teacher Isobel whose teaching methods come under fire by those helicopter parents. They find themselves each with a different conflict that catches up to them on social media and through the students’ POV, we see how they become the ones with the voice of reason.
The clean tone and tight plotting around the adults behaving badly keeps the drama low and there is no teenage drama, allowing the story to be fun and entertaining from start to finish.
I received a copy from the publisher.
February 12, 2020
Liston Heights High is a privileged place, except maybe for the teachers. The parents tend to hover around and add pressure as needed.
Isabel is a teacher students easily love, and for whatever reason, Julia Abbott, a parent of students at the school, resents that. Well, actually, she resents it because her teenagers are pulling away from her as they become closer to Isabel.
Things come to a head when Isabel receives a threatening voicemail, and she knows she can no longer lay low.
At the same time, Julia is caught on video pushing a student who was named lead of the winter musical. The video goes viral.
Believe it or not, Julia and Isabel form a bond through these experiences that toss them to the fringes.
Minor Dramas is an easy read, meaning it’s so well-written you can breeze right through it. It confronts several timely topics head-on, but in a way that doesn’t overwhelm. I found the whole book full of sheer entertainment, and it surprised me in the best of ways.
Overall, Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes is an addictive, easy breezy visit back to high school!
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Isabel is a teacher students easily love, and for whatever reason, Julia Abbott, a parent of students at the school, resents that. Well, actually, she resents it because her teenagers are pulling away from her as they become closer to Isabel.
Things come to a head when Isabel receives a threatening voicemail, and she knows she can no longer lay low.
At the same time, Julia is caught on video pushing a student who was named lead of the winter musical. The video goes viral.
Believe it or not, Julia and Isabel form a bond through these experiences that toss them to the fringes.
Minor Dramas is an easy read, meaning it’s so well-written you can breeze right through it. It confronts several timely topics head-on, but in a way that doesn’t overwhelm. I found the whole book full of sheer entertainment, and it surprised me in the best of ways.
Overall, Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes is an addictive, easy breezy visit back to high school!
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
March 12, 2020
Timely, relevant & compelling!
MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES by KATHLEEN WEST is a fascinating, artful, and captivating debut novel that immediately grabbed my attention and held strong right to the very end. There is a full cast of characters here but mainly revolves around Julia Abbott a stage mom who is your typical helicopter parent and a school teacher, Isobel Johnson who Julia is harassing. The soap opera antics of Julia Abbott made this quite entertaining, amusing and definitely a fun one for me to read.
There are quite a few subjects explored here and characters to follow along with but surprisingly this wasn’t a heavy read by no means for me and I didn’t seem to have a problem with keeping everyone straight. The multiple character perspectives made this quite interesting and an easy book to read that I zipped right through.
KATHLEEN WEST delivers an intriguing, witty, and well-written story here that was extremely readable. I really appreciated that while I would say that this was more of a lighthearted tale it did have a substantial amount of truth and value to the storyline. The author did a wonderful job at fully immersing me into this story and keeping me interested. I can totally see this story being made into a movie.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Eye-catching, relevant, intriguing, impactful and an excellent representation to storyline.
Title: The title immediately intrigued me and I think it is a fitting representation to storyline. There was definitely plenty of drama to be had here and some catastrophic decisions that’s for sure.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, readable, straightforward, easy to follow, and captivating.
Plot: Engrossing, lighthearted, relevant, funny, shocking, thought-provoking, interesting, steadily-paced, and entertaining.
Ending: A satisfying, fun, pleasing, and neat resolution.
Overall: This was a very good, fun, entertaining, and lighthearted book with some substance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for kindly gifting me a copy of this book.
This review can also be seen at Traveling Sisters Book Reviews blog:
https://travelingsistersbookreviews.com/
MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES by KATHLEEN WEST is a fascinating, artful, and captivating debut novel that immediately grabbed my attention and held strong right to the very end. There is a full cast of characters here but mainly revolves around Julia Abbott a stage mom who is your typical helicopter parent and a school teacher, Isobel Johnson who Julia is harassing. The soap opera antics of Julia Abbott made this quite entertaining, amusing and definitely a fun one for me to read.
There are quite a few subjects explored here and characters to follow along with but surprisingly this wasn’t a heavy read by no means for me and I didn’t seem to have a problem with keeping everyone straight. The multiple character perspectives made this quite interesting and an easy book to read that I zipped right through.
KATHLEEN WEST delivers an intriguing, witty, and well-written story here that was extremely readable. I really appreciated that while I would say that this was more of a lighthearted tale it did have a substantial amount of truth and value to the storyline. The author did a wonderful job at fully immersing me into this story and keeping me interested. I can totally see this story being made into a movie.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Eye-catching, relevant, intriguing, impactful and an excellent representation to storyline.
Title: The title immediately intrigued me and I think it is a fitting representation to storyline. There was definitely plenty of drama to be had here and some catastrophic decisions that’s for sure.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, readable, straightforward, easy to follow, and captivating.
Plot: Engrossing, lighthearted, relevant, funny, shocking, thought-provoking, interesting, steadily-paced, and entertaining.
Ending: A satisfying, fun, pleasing, and neat resolution.
Overall: This was a very good, fun, entertaining, and lighthearted book with some substance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for kindly gifting me a copy of this book.
This review can also be seen at Traveling Sisters Book Reviews blog:
https://travelingsistersbookreviews.com/
May 29, 2020
Too many mean girls.
The helicopter parent who can’t see that she’s out of control.
The teacher with an agenda and a guilty conscious.
The back stabbing best friend.
The protégé who will stop at nothing to keep her job.
This is about as nuanced as a Drag Queen at a Debutante Ball.*
I found none of the acerbic humor of Where’d You Go Bernadette as the blurb implied, not an iota of the charm of Big Little Lies to which another alluded. The only reason I finished it is because it was an easy read, I kept hoping it would get better and by the two-thirds mark I just had to see if anyone would have any redeeming qualities. They didn’t.
Many have really enjoyed, so I'm an outlier, but if you’re like me and need at least one person to root for who isn’t a complete ass, you won’t find them in this book.
*No disrespect to Drag Queens, I love you gals!
The helicopter parent who can’t see that she’s out of control.
The teacher with an agenda and a guilty conscious.
The back stabbing best friend.
The protégé who will stop at nothing to keep her job.
This is about as nuanced as a Drag Queen at a Debutante Ball.*
I found none of the acerbic humor of Where’d You Go Bernadette as the blurb implied, not an iota of the charm of Big Little Lies to which another alluded. The only reason I finished it is because it was an easy read, I kept hoping it would get better and by the two-thirds mark I just had to see if anyone would have any redeeming qualities. They didn’t.
Many have really enjoyed, so I'm an outlier, but if you’re like me and need at least one person to root for who isn’t a complete ass, you won’t find them in this book.
*No disrespect to Drag Queens, I love you gals!
February 13, 2020
Even though there are quite a few different subjects explored in this novel, it was actually a pretty light read. It was like I was reading something with substance and value but how it was written with the different character perspectives made it a very easy book to fly right thru. Really enjoyed this one.
High school teacher Isobel Johnson recognizes most of the privileged students she teaches pretty much live in a bubble and therefore she works hard in trying to get them to open their eyes to the world around them. She receives a threatening voicemail complaining about her progressive curriculum.
Julia Abbott is your typical helicopter parent and one day she really messes up and let's just say her entire family is going to feel the consequences of her actions. So what do Isobel and Julia have in common? Well, they both are subjected to some gossipy posts on a secret Facebook page where parents complain about the school faculty as well as other parents. With so many shenanigans going on among the adults, it sure doesn't seem like this school is providing the best learning environment for the students.
While I was reading this book I kept wondering who has it harder; the teachers, the parents, or the students? I've yet to come up with an answer but I sure am glad it has been years since I have been anywhere near a school as I don't think I could handle all that drama again especially now that social media has been introduced into the mix.
There are many issues the author tackles in this novel but like I said before it doesn't feel like such a heavy read. With all of the different character perspectives you at the very least have an understanding of who they are as individuals even if you don't necessarily agree with all of their actions. My only small criticism is I thought Isobel was a little too picture perfect. The author barely grazed the surface of white female liberalism and I think it would have been fascinating if she would have explored that more.
Overall, a good read and the type of book that would make for a fun book club discussion.
Thank you to Berkley for providing me with a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
High school teacher Isobel Johnson recognizes most of the privileged students she teaches pretty much live in a bubble and therefore she works hard in trying to get them to open their eyes to the world around them. She receives a threatening voicemail complaining about her progressive curriculum.
Julia Abbott is your typical helicopter parent and one day she really messes up and let's just say her entire family is going to feel the consequences of her actions. So what do Isobel and Julia have in common? Well, they both are subjected to some gossipy posts on a secret Facebook page where parents complain about the school faculty as well as other parents. With so many shenanigans going on among the adults, it sure doesn't seem like this school is providing the best learning environment for the students.
While I was reading this book I kept wondering who has it harder; the teachers, the parents, or the students? I've yet to come up with an answer but I sure am glad it has been years since I have been anywhere near a school as I don't think I could handle all that drama again especially now that social media has been introduced into the mix.
There are many issues the author tackles in this novel but like I said before it doesn't feel like such a heavy read. With all of the different character perspectives you at the very least have an understanding of who they are as individuals even if you don't necessarily agree with all of their actions. My only small criticism is I thought Isobel was a little too picture perfect. The author barely grazed the surface of white female liberalism and I think it would have been fascinating if she would have explored that more.
Overall, a good read and the type of book that would make for a fun book club discussion.
Thank you to Berkley for providing me with a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 13, 2021
Audiobook….read by Julia Whelan
….11 hours and 9 minutes
Welcome to High School
… (yes, again), at the elite Liston Heights, in Minnesota.
In a literature class, multiple perspective sections of ‘The Great Gatsby’, were creating upsets among a few of helicopter parents. (and therefore the school board as well).
Liberalism at this predominantly white private school was not encouraged.
Feminism wasn’t a topic that parents and officials wanted discussed in class.
God for bid there should be any talk about being queer.
“Isabel Johnson? Are you saying that Nick is gay!”
“I’m saying, let’s talk about it”.
Isabel was encouraged (semi-threatened), that she needed to tone down her teachings to a more traditional type curriculum.
“The Great Gatsby” discussion:
“What’s missing, Ms. Johnson asked the class?”
“It’s women—a student answered.
It’s women’s voices. Women’s voices were missing everywhere. And when they were not missing they were focused on children”.
Being watched like a hawk, for any teacher, isn’t exactly desirable.
If point of views were expressed reasonably, and clear — then why must a teacher worry whether or not a topic was controversial or not?
Smartwool 🧦 socks and ‘The West Wing’ on Netflix:
….It was a cozy evening….
couch sitting with her husband. Isabel shared with Mark how her day was at school. (stressful)
She needed to tone herself down.
“Why? Mark said?”
In so many words, she was told not to allow the topic of homosexuality.
Just the tip of the iceberg in the school community catastrophic environment.
High School, educational technology, politics, back-stabbing texts, phone calls, shameful videos….
Anti-American ‘liberal’ literature?
Oh my!!
Teaching kids to think? ….
collectively bad behavior….
….over-involved, unable-to- mind-their-own-business micromanaging parents,
over-taxed teachers, Theater productions, carpool lists, unfortunate issues arise, complaints galore….
and students caught in the middle…
was a devilishly-delightfully -
AUDIOBOOK!
Lightweight humor…illuminates the increasingly fractured world we live — murky gray areas of trying to make sense of common ground themes…
Questions to ponder — are we teaching our children successfully against racism civil justice — and the realities that divide us — helping our kids make sense of it all??
An easy-listening engaging audiobook companion with Julia Whelan > whose audio voice is always an indulgent treat.
Feisty perils of energy….
A helluva of a lot of fun!
….11 hours and 9 minutes
Welcome to High School
… (yes, again), at the elite Liston Heights, in Minnesota.
In a literature class, multiple perspective sections of ‘The Great Gatsby’, were creating upsets among a few of helicopter parents. (and therefore the school board as well).
Liberalism at this predominantly white private school was not encouraged.
Feminism wasn’t a topic that parents and officials wanted discussed in class.
God for bid there should be any talk about being queer.
“Isabel Johnson? Are you saying that Nick is gay!”
“I’m saying, let’s talk about it”.
Isabel was encouraged (semi-threatened), that she needed to tone down her teachings to a more traditional type curriculum.
“The Great Gatsby” discussion:
“What’s missing, Ms. Johnson asked the class?”
“It’s women—a student answered.
It’s women’s voices. Women’s voices were missing everywhere. And when they were not missing they were focused on children”.
Being watched like a hawk, for any teacher, isn’t exactly desirable.
If point of views were expressed reasonably, and clear — then why must a teacher worry whether or not a topic was controversial or not?
Smartwool 🧦 socks and ‘The West Wing’ on Netflix:
….It was a cozy evening….
couch sitting with her husband. Isabel shared with Mark how her day was at school. (stressful)
She needed to tone herself down.
“Why? Mark said?”
In so many words, she was told not to allow the topic of homosexuality.
Just the tip of the iceberg in the school community catastrophic environment.
High School, educational technology, politics, back-stabbing texts, phone calls, shameful videos….
Anti-American ‘liberal’ literature?
Oh my!!
Teaching kids to think? ….
collectively bad behavior….
….over-involved, unable-to- mind-their-own-business micromanaging parents,
over-taxed teachers, Theater productions, carpool lists, unfortunate issues arise, complaints galore….
and students caught in the middle…
was a devilishly-delightfully -
AUDIOBOOK!
Lightweight humor…illuminates the increasingly fractured world we live — murky gray areas of trying to make sense of common ground themes…
Questions to ponder — are we teaching our children successfully against racism civil justice — and the realities that divide us — helping our kids make sense of it all??
An easy-listening engaging audiobook companion with Julia Whelan > whose audio voice is always an indulgent treat.
Feisty perils of energy….
A helluva of a lot of fun!
March 10, 2020
3.5 stars
Welcome to Liston Heights High School. The place where rich parents NEED to make sure their precious children make it to that bestest college. In their off time they one up each other on who is the most wonderful of all.
ESPECIALLY theatre mom Julia Abbott.
She gets really into making sure her little precious gets the part in the school play. To the point where she goes to make sure he is on the cast list and gets a bit excited then ends up punching a student in the stomach. Of course someone just happens to have their phone handy and it's all plastered online for the world to judge.
The fall out from this one incident just keeps spiraling and shows you the true power of social media. It scares the crap outta me.
This book wasn't bad. It kept me entertained by these hot messes of characters. The only things that I didn't care for were the incessant brand name dropping and the fact that it became almost too much. Too many points of view and way too many dramas. I still couldn't look away though because I totally have a fascination with helicopter mom drama.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for reveiw.
Welcome to Liston Heights High School. The place where rich parents NEED to make sure their precious children make it to that bestest college. In their off time they one up each other on who is the most wonderful of all.
ESPECIALLY theatre mom Julia Abbott.
She gets really into making sure her little precious gets the part in the school play. To the point where she goes to make sure he is on the cast list and gets a bit excited then ends up punching a student in the stomach. Of course someone just happens to have their phone handy and it's all plastered online for the world to judge.
The fall out from this one incident just keeps spiraling and shows you the true power of social media. It scares the crap outta me.
This book wasn't bad. It kept me entertained by these hot messes of characters. The only things that I didn't care for were the incessant brand name dropping and the fact that it became almost too much. Too many points of view and way too many dramas. I still couldn't look away though because I totally have a fascination with helicopter mom drama.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for reveiw.
February 24, 2020
Isobel Johnson teaches English at a public school in Liston, Minnesota. The majority of her students are from privileged homes with highly involved parents. The environment is competitive and focused on grades, auditions for plays, and applications to the top colleges. Isobel is liked by her students but becomes concerned when she receives an anonymous voicemail blasting her lectures as Anti-American and focused outside the curriculum. To make matters worse, social media is active within the Liston community spreading negative parent discussions regarding the faculty.
Julia Abbott’s main focus in her life is pushing her kids' achievements. She is an active parent in her community with a heavy social calendar. Her volunteer efforts align with her kids’ activities and she uses this influence on teachers by donating money to secure better theater roles for her children. This lifestyle vanishes after an incident at school involving Julia and a student is recorded leaving her reputation in ruin.
This story examines parental interference and how it can have positive and negative consequences for children. I enjoyed the varying perspectives from Julia and Isobel’s and how they blend as the story progresses. Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes is a debut novel by Kathleen West.
Julia Abbott’s main focus in her life is pushing her kids' achievements. She is an active parent in her community with a heavy social calendar. Her volunteer efforts align with her kids’ activities and she uses this influence on teachers by donating money to secure better theater roles for her children. This lifestyle vanishes after an incident at school involving Julia and a student is recorded leaving her reputation in ruin.
This story examines parental interference and how it can have positive and negative consequences for children. I enjoyed the varying perspectives from Julia and Isobel’s and how they blend as the story progresses. Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes is a debut novel by Kathleen West.
October 14, 2019
I enjoyed both Where’d You Go Bernadette and Small Admissions, which, in the marketing copy, this book is compared to. It shouldn’t be. It does feature those insufferable helicopter parents that I don’t know personally but have read about. Maybe it’s because I’m not a parent myself and I grew up in the days that preceded Law and Order being on TV twenty-four hours a day on multiple channels, so my parents let my sister and me play outside all day and simply figured we’d show up at dinner when we got hungry. Their idea of interfering in our studies was taking us to the library every week so we could read all the books we wanted.
The students in this novel are all wonderful. The villains are the adults. Not just the parents, who were far worse than any character from the movie Mean Girls, but also some of the teachers and administrators who only want to not anger the parents—getting the students to actually think for themselves is obviously too subversive because then they might not agree with their parents on everything.
Maybe if I recognized parents like that, I would have liked the distinctive soap opera drama over things that were outstandingly trivial more, but this story line just didn’t quite do it for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES FEBRUARY 4, 2020.
The students in this novel are all wonderful. The villains are the adults. Not just the parents, who were far worse than any character from the movie Mean Girls, but also some of the teachers and administrators who only want to not anger the parents—getting the students to actually think for themselves is obviously too subversive because then they might not agree with their parents on everything.
Maybe if I recognized parents like that, I would have liked the distinctive soap opera drama over things that were outstandingly trivial more, but this story line just didn’t quite do it for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES FEBRUARY 4, 2020.
February 6, 2020
Contemporary drama revolving around a high school. Julia Abbott is a helicopter mom who does something dumb at the high school, and, of course, it's caught on video. She goes viral, causing problems for her and her kids. Meanwhile, the teachers are worried about their jobs since enrollment is down. Isobel Johnson is a teacher that tends to push issues in an attempt to broaden her students perspectives. This makes her a target for some of the parents, who wish she would simply stick with the curriculum.
Told using multiple points of view, the drama of family and school life plays out. Along with Julia and Isobel, other POVs are used, including another teacher and Julia's kids. The use of multiple viewpoints works for this novel, and allows for a variety of topics to be covered.
A fun read for fans of family dramas and school politics. A wonderful debut novel. Entertaining, compelling, and relevant.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Told using multiple points of view, the drama of family and school life plays out. Along with Julia and Isobel, other POVs are used, including another teacher and Julia's kids. The use of multiple viewpoints works for this novel, and allows for a variety of topics to be covered.
A fun read for fans of family dramas and school politics. A wonderful debut novel. Entertaining, compelling, and relevant.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2020
Julia Abbot lives and dies for her children. Especially for their achievements! In the upper snobby community of Liston Heights success is important, winning a must and bragging just a fact of life.
So when Julia takes it upon herself to march down to the high school to see if her son received a plum role in the school play (a role she and her husband properly earned him by donating a costume room to the Arts Department), and she accidently injures one of the students who was trying to see if they had gotten a part in the play, it was just her average day. Until a video shows up on Facebook showing her punching the girl in the stomach.
Isobel Johnson is a popular Liston Heights English teacher whose liberal ideas are a bit too much for the conservative parents of her students. After receiving a threatening phone call on her home phone, Isobel finds herself and her beliefs being questioned. If she conforms to the school's medieval standards nothing will happen. But, if she continues down the other path, of giving her students other ways of learning things, she may lose her job. When she chooses to continue her method of teaching, the parents rebel and she is suspended pending an investigation.
Julia does not like Isobel. For many reasons but the main one is her daughter adores Isobel and looks up to her. Isobel just wants to be a good teacher and a good person. But as both women seem to be in the fight of their lives, they suddenly find themselves shunned by the community. Julia, once the gossip queen, is now the one being gossiped about.
Social media plays an important part in the story. First, there is a Facebook page called Inside Liston run by someone named Lisa Lions where parents can go and complain about their student's teachers. It is also where parents can post videos which then go viral. Or where parents can dig into teacher's pasts and post terrible secrets. All of this going on and the administration doesn't have a clue.
Could parents really get a teacher fired over posts from a Facebook page? Who is Lisa Lions? And how can a community of students get together and help a teacher? What lessons can be learned from all the drama?
Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes is a very funny look at the new normal. It allows the reader to understand that in this day and age social media can hurt someone or help them. It is cringeworthy in the sense that sadly, some of us are very familiar with the likes of a Julia, who seems to have a bone to pick with just about everybody, but perhaps her true angst is with herself. It also takes a look at the politics of school life which includes bad behavior from not only the students, but the parents, administration and even the teachers. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Random House for sending me the advanced copy.
So when Julia takes it upon herself to march down to the high school to see if her son received a plum role in the school play (a role she and her husband properly earned him by donating a costume room to the Arts Department), and she accidently injures one of the students who was trying to see if they had gotten a part in the play, it was just her average day. Until a video shows up on Facebook showing her punching the girl in the stomach.
Isobel Johnson is a popular Liston Heights English teacher whose liberal ideas are a bit too much for the conservative parents of her students. After receiving a threatening phone call on her home phone, Isobel finds herself and her beliefs being questioned. If she conforms to the school's medieval standards nothing will happen. But, if she continues down the other path, of giving her students other ways of learning things, she may lose her job. When she chooses to continue her method of teaching, the parents rebel and she is suspended pending an investigation.
Julia does not like Isobel. For many reasons but the main one is her daughter adores Isobel and looks up to her. Isobel just wants to be a good teacher and a good person. But as both women seem to be in the fight of their lives, they suddenly find themselves shunned by the community. Julia, once the gossip queen, is now the one being gossiped about.
Social media plays an important part in the story. First, there is a Facebook page called Inside Liston run by someone named Lisa Lions where parents can go and complain about their student's teachers. It is also where parents can post videos which then go viral. Or where parents can dig into teacher's pasts and post terrible secrets. All of this going on and the administration doesn't have a clue.
Could parents really get a teacher fired over posts from a Facebook page? Who is Lisa Lions? And how can a community of students get together and help a teacher? What lessons can be learned from all the drama?
Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes is a very funny look at the new normal. It allows the reader to understand that in this day and age social media can hurt someone or help them. It is cringeworthy in the sense that sadly, some of us are very familiar with the likes of a Julia, who seems to have a bone to pick with just about everybody, but perhaps her true angst is with herself. It also takes a look at the politics of school life which includes bad behavior from not only the students, but the parents, administration and even the teachers. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Random House for sending me the advanced copy.
October 8, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! Having gone to private school myself, I totally understand the dynamics and Kathleen West captures the essence of that sort of life perfectly. From the mothers who, though well-intentioned, are way too involved in their children’s lives, to the faculty who fear the wrath of the parents if they step out of line, to the administrators who will do anything to keep the school successful, even if it means lowering the quality of education—this book nailed it!
Julia is a mom to two high school kids. Her daughter is bright and engaged in school, and her son is a shy aspiring actor. Julia considers her position on the board for the high school drama program to be prestigious. And her son did work so hard all summer taking lessons so he might be cast in the spring play. It doesn’t hurt that Julia and her husband donated a brand new costume shop (even if she did have to track down size 11 sparkling shoes for the leading lady against her preferences). So on the day the cast list is to be posted, Julia can’t help but sneak in to view it right away. She’s just excited!
But when she accidentally punches the leading lady in the production during her victory celebration and it is caught on tape, Julia soon finds herself banished from the drama committee and shunned by the other moms.
This scene truly made me laugh! Julia is an interesting character. The more I learned about her, the more I understood her. She is a woman full of brains and ambition, who let her goals slip away when she became a mother. Now, she finds so much of her self-worth tied up in her children, that when they turn their anger on her she feels lost and betrayed. The book tells the story of Julia learning and growing.
The other main storyline in the book centers around Isobel—an English teacher who passionately makes it her mission to constantly push her students and colleagues beyond the approved curriculum, and to consider other voices and point of views in classic literature. Most student’s love Isobel, but the parents have a different take. Rather than appreciating the top quality education that Isobel provides, they worry that she pushes her agenda into their kids’ minds.
Meanwhile, a mommy facebook group begins to spiral out of control. What started as a way for parents to engage around their children’s school has quickly turned into the school gossip rag. And worse, someone seems to be sharing private information about the teachers that becomes fodder for angry parents.
Soon, Isobel herself is on the outs. And ironically enough, these two women who started as opposition may find one another to be the key to resolving their situations.
Funny, heat-warming, and full of fascinating characters—I loved this book!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Julia is a mom to two high school kids. Her daughter is bright and engaged in school, and her son is a shy aspiring actor. Julia considers her position on the board for the high school drama program to be prestigious. And her son did work so hard all summer taking lessons so he might be cast in the spring play. It doesn’t hurt that Julia and her husband donated a brand new costume shop (even if she did have to track down size 11 sparkling shoes for the leading lady against her preferences). So on the day the cast list is to be posted, Julia can’t help but sneak in to view it right away. She’s just excited!
But when she accidentally punches the leading lady in the production during her victory celebration and it is caught on tape, Julia soon finds herself banished from the drama committee and shunned by the other moms.
This scene truly made me laugh! Julia is an interesting character. The more I learned about her, the more I understood her. She is a woman full of brains and ambition, who let her goals slip away when she became a mother. Now, she finds so much of her self-worth tied up in her children, that when they turn their anger on her she feels lost and betrayed. The book tells the story of Julia learning and growing.
The other main storyline in the book centers around Isobel—an English teacher who passionately makes it her mission to constantly push her students and colleagues beyond the approved curriculum, and to consider other voices and point of views in classic literature. Most student’s love Isobel, but the parents have a different take. Rather than appreciating the top quality education that Isobel provides, they worry that she pushes her agenda into their kids’ minds.
Meanwhile, a mommy facebook group begins to spiral out of control. What started as a way for parents to engage around their children’s school has quickly turned into the school gossip rag. And worse, someone seems to be sharing private information about the teachers that becomes fodder for angry parents.
Soon, Isobel herself is on the outs. And ironically enough, these two women who started as opposition may find one another to be the key to resolving their situations.
Funny, heat-warming, and full of fascinating characters—I loved this book!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
January 23, 2020
MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES had me hooked when I started the book. This is a very timely book with a lot of relevance to what is happening in the world today. The story revolves around a parent harassing a teacher. I believe people will be enthralled by this book, which I highly recommend. I actually believe this novel is more of 4.5 stars!
February 1, 2020
Really enjoyed this! I loved getting the different perspectives from the characters and seeing how their actions and behaviors affected those around them. There was a lot to think about in the case of schools and how teachers are influencing children. There was a lot to think about with helicopter parents. There was a lot to think about unwarranted pressures from others. I really enjoyed this a lot.
January 16, 2020
Julia Abbott is a parent of two Liston Heights high school students. Her son, Andrew, is trying out for the school’s latest theater production, and Julia is determined that he be given a speaking role this time around—after all, didn’t the Abbott family just donate enough money to fund the school’s entire costume department? On the day the cast list is posted, Julia can’t wait any longer to know if Andrew made the cut. She secretly enters the school to check the list but, in her rushed excitement, accidentally punches a student in the stomach. Unfortunately for Julia, the student is the lead actress of the play and also happens to be the daughter of her husband’s close business associate. Julia hightails it out of the school, but not before another student records the whole interaction on his phone and posts it online. Now Julia is in deep trouble, so she’s doing everything she can to divert attention away from her scandal…and onto someone else’s.
Isobel Johnston is a respected English teacher at Liston Heights High School, where she teaches classic literature to her privileged students while gently encouraging them to look deeper into the texts so they can better understand the world (beyond the bubble) they live in. She considers herself a successful and dedicated teacher whose teaching style is unique and slightly subversive, yes, but also still appreciated by students, parents, and school administrators alike. So when she receives a voicemail at home from an “anonymous parent” accusing her of pushing a Marxist agenda through her lessons on The Great Gatsby, she doesn’t quite know what to make of it. She tries not to worry too much, since, surely, no other parents could feel this way, too. Right?
~ MY THOUGHTS ~
As someone who lives in a very competitive school district, often cited as one of the best in the country, I can so relate to this book. My kids are still in elementary school, but I already see helicopter moms like Julia working their magic, making their moves, staking their claims. While there are PLENTY of normal parents who are just doing the best they can for their kids, there’s no denying that the posh overachieving parent cliques are forming—and they mean business, bitch. Julia Abbott is intense and extreme, but, for me, she is completely believable. And her craziness coupled with Isobel’s earnest, albeit naive, sincerity makes for a compelling novel. I was hooked from page one.
But one of the aspects of the novel that I appreciate most is the students themselves—more specifically, their willingness to take a stand for what they believe in, to right the wrongs they could and feel powerful enough to take charge of their own lives, even when that meant going against the wishes of their parents. I love that author Kathleen West gives these students power. She allows them to have strong voices in the story. It made the book better, and, frankly, made me feel hopeful. Millennials get a bad rap so often, but I see a theme of personal empowerment and strength in this generation that I didn’t experience as a teenager. It really makes me believe these kids are capable of accomplishing big things.
Huge thank you to Berkley for the ARC! See more of my book reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!
Isobel Johnston is a respected English teacher at Liston Heights High School, where she teaches classic literature to her privileged students while gently encouraging them to look deeper into the texts so they can better understand the world (beyond the bubble) they live in. She considers herself a successful and dedicated teacher whose teaching style is unique and slightly subversive, yes, but also still appreciated by students, parents, and school administrators alike. So when she receives a voicemail at home from an “anonymous parent” accusing her of pushing a Marxist agenda through her lessons on The Great Gatsby, she doesn’t quite know what to make of it. She tries not to worry too much, since, surely, no other parents could feel this way, too. Right?
~ MY THOUGHTS ~
As someone who lives in a very competitive school district, often cited as one of the best in the country, I can so relate to this book. My kids are still in elementary school, but I already see helicopter moms like Julia working their magic, making their moves, staking their claims. While there are PLENTY of normal parents who are just doing the best they can for their kids, there’s no denying that the posh overachieving parent cliques are forming—and they mean business, bitch. Julia Abbott is intense and extreme, but, for me, she is completely believable. And her craziness coupled with Isobel’s earnest, albeit naive, sincerity makes for a compelling novel. I was hooked from page one.
But one of the aspects of the novel that I appreciate most is the students themselves—more specifically, their willingness to take a stand for what they believe in, to right the wrongs they could and feel powerful enough to take charge of their own lives, even when that meant going against the wishes of their parents. I love that author Kathleen West gives these students power. She allows them to have strong voices in the story. It made the book better, and, frankly, made me feel hopeful. Millennials get a bad rap so often, but I see a theme of personal empowerment and strength in this generation that I didn’t experience as a teenager. It really makes me believe these kids are capable of accomplishing big things.
Huge thank you to Berkley for the ARC! See more of my book reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!
October 21, 2019
The drama llama was running amuck! There are quite a few POV's here, but I really enjoyed seeing things from different perspectives.
August 3, 2021
There was just a lot going on in this book, right from the first page.
A lot of different POV's, and nothing to really differentiate them from each other. I had to stop and think "OK, who is this person again?" at the beginning of each POV switch. I also feel like I missed the first couple of chapters introducing everyone and the story, and just got dropped into the book about 30 pages in.
At the end of the day, I did enjoy the story, but there was just too many POV's. Thank goodness for the short chapters.
A lot of different POV's, and nothing to really differentiate them from each other. I had to stop and think "OK, who is this person again?" at the beginning of each POV switch. I also feel like I missed the first couple of chapters introducing everyone and the story, and just got dropped into the book about 30 pages in.
At the end of the day, I did enjoy the story, but there was just too many POV's. Thank goodness for the short chapters.
February 2, 2020
There are some good bits to this new title skewering helicopter parents and school politics: 1) Reminders of the ills of bullying on social media. 2) A book that ends with adults modeling adult behavior. 3) A catchy title. Honestly, though, this book was a tough read for me. I considered making it a DNF several times. Many of the characters in this book engineer their own catastrophes through their ignorant and/or irresponsible behavior. My takeaway from this book is the reminder to respect others and avoid making snap judgments and engaging in gossip. Parents and teachers need to partner together, not be in opposition to each other.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2019
Reading along in Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes, I came across so many wildly true aspects of school life, and found it fascinating to see them through a teacher's eyes, as well as a helicopter parent's. If you like social media, and the inside scoop on the harm as well drama, humor and havoc it can create at school, this book is for you. Loved it. Looking forward to West's next novel, which I hear is underway!
February 2, 2020
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes was everything I was hoping it would be and then some. I may or may not have locked myself in the bathroom to sneak a few chapters in over the past couple of days. I honestly couldn’t put this debut down. West creates an addictive and relevant story full of drama, crazy parents, admirable teenagers and caring teachers. Do you love reading the comments section in juicy social media posts? Well then, get the popcorn ready as you read the snippets included from the private Facebook group for the school’s parents. Extremely entertaining! This book is perfect if you’re in the mood for a comical, quick, and refreshing read. I loved the short chapters and multiple perspectives. I especially enjoyed reading the points of view from the various teachers in the novel. We always hear from the overbearing helicopter parents, but not a lot from the educators in these fictional tales. This is what makes this novel really stand out, in my opinion. Fans of Class Mom, Big Little Lies and The Gifted School will definitely appreciate this outstanding debut. Grab yourself a copy on release day - Tuesday, February 4th! 5/5 bright and shiny red apples for Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes!
February 4, 2020
I tried, really I tried to like this book but I just couldn't. In the beginning I was fine with all of the adults and their issues but after a while, it grew old. In fact; the issues kind of became petty and the adults whiny.
I might have been able to handle is to a point if I had liked most of the characters but there was not one that I particularly liked. It is sad when the children are more mature than the adults. I get that this was part of the factor for this book. Sadly, I could not finish this book. In the future, I may give this author another try. Too many drams and catastrophes for me.
I might have been able to handle is to a point if I had liked most of the characters but there was not one that I particularly liked. It is sad when the children are more mature than the adults. I get that this was part of the factor for this book. Sadly, I could not finish this book. In the future, I may give this author another try. Too many drams and catastrophes for me.
January 23, 2020
PICK IT UP IMMEDIATELY.
This novel is so nuanced and covers a variety of different social issues without being preachy. The character development in this books is fantastic as is the way it is told from many different POV which all intersect is superb.
This novel is so nuanced and covers a variety of different social issues without being preachy. The character development in this books is fantastic as is the way it is told from many different POV which all intersect is superb.
December 5, 2020
Over the past two days, I read MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES obsessively—and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. It is so captivating and addictive that you just need to do yourself a favor and start reading it NOW. While the book’s narrative is drawn from many characters’ perspectives, the main story follows two in particular—Isobel Johnson, the English teacher who’s currently under fire from her students’ parents for her progressive curriculum, and Julia Abbott, one of those parents who comes under fire herself when she accidentally injures a student due to her helicopter parenting. Both of these characters are flawed—one much more deeply than the other—but they are so fun to follow, even when their actions caused me to gasp with anger. This book expertly, and entertainingly, tackles the bullying that can happen amongst adults—and, in fact, it’s the high school students who are the best behaved characters in the story! And even though so many of the adults in the novel do bad things, Kathleen West does an excellent job of showing how the culture (of schools, of parenting, of privilege, of society at large) is really the root of the problem. I was a teacher for twelve years, so a lot of this book hit close to home for me, with so many parts that vividly brought to life the especially negative parts of a career in education—absolutely none of which has to do with the students themselves! In short, I loved this book so much; it is juicy, wickedly smart, and impossible to put down.
February 14, 2020
Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes should be required reading for all moms who have a child entering high school, to teach them how NOT to act. Kathleen West gives us a relatively accurate example of what a committed helicopter mom can accomplish when she embraces all things crazy and then immerses herself in her children's lives. However, what gave this book balance and made it work was the different perspectives from multiple characters. West provides us not only with the parents' and teachers' perspectives but, most importantly, the students' views.
This book had me shaking my head and laughing, but it also had me thinking, thinking about how sad it is that some parents need to control every aspect of their child's life. This book is a mixed bag of tricks, funny in one sense. Still, it also delivers a serious message about bullying and gossip and how it truly hurts people.
The writing by Kathleen West is clear and concise, and the character development is near perfect. My reasoning behind the words near perfect, I felt that one character was a little too classic. So, for me, she was a bit too hard to relate to entirely and sympathize with her. I did enjoy the plotline and flow of the story. This book explores the challenges teachers in an elite public-school deal with not only from over-invested meddlesome parents but also from fellow teachers. They must also balance the explosive political climate that seeps into the classroom daily. But, that's not all, there is plenty of backstabbing, gossip, posts went virial and even a secret Facebook page. Somehow, through all this nonsense, the shining stars in this book are the kids.
Minor Dramas delivers today's relevant issues that teachers, parents, and teens must navigate in an easy to read, hilarious and entertaining fashion.
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of Edelweiss/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion.***
This book had me shaking my head and laughing, but it also had me thinking, thinking about how sad it is that some parents need to control every aspect of their child's life. This book is a mixed bag of tricks, funny in one sense. Still, it also delivers a serious message about bullying and gossip and how it truly hurts people.
The writing by Kathleen West is clear and concise, and the character development is near perfect. My reasoning behind the words near perfect, I felt that one character was a little too classic. So, for me, she was a bit too hard to relate to entirely and sympathize with her. I did enjoy the plotline and flow of the story. This book explores the challenges teachers in an elite public-school deal with not only from over-invested meddlesome parents but also from fellow teachers. They must also balance the explosive political climate that seeps into the classroom daily. But, that's not all, there is plenty of backstabbing, gossip, posts went virial and even a secret Facebook page. Somehow, through all this nonsense, the shining stars in this book are the kids.
Minor Dramas delivers today's relevant issues that teachers, parents, and teens must navigate in an easy to read, hilarious and entertaining fashion.
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of Edelweiss/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion.***
September 29, 2019
Kathleen West's upcoming novel, Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes, tells the story of teachers, admin, parents and students at privileged Liston Heights High. The characters start as stereotypes -- the crazed theater mom with a not-terribly-talented son, the liberal English teacher, the naive and overworked new teacher, the dully officious admin, the teenage girl following her Feminism 101 checklist -- but soon the interlocking stories pull you in.
The setting is great, and while the characters are set in conflict with each other, pseudo-voluntary educational dumbfuckery is the real enemy here. It's not enough for teachers to teach well and be liked by students, they also need to make a certain number of positive phone calls to students' parents and be well-liked by helicopter mom brigade. It's not enough for students to go to class and do their homework, they also need to be busy filling their future college app with sports, arts and community service. And, not everyone can be the lead in the school play (or the captain of the sportsball thingy), and that's where high-strung helicopter moms come in. A college-prep high school is full of conflict and drama, and the story takes us through all different aspects.
There are too many moments when the characters are Just Too Much for me. The English teacher is just a little too amazing, and that made it hard to empathize with her. (All her lesson plans are tops and she has time to mentor a new teacher? Sounds fake, but ok.) Some of the backstories were way too much, so it felt less like a slice-of-life novel about real humans at a real school, and more like a morality play about the dangers of helicopter parenting and the stress of high school.
The setting is great, and while the characters are set in conflict with each other, pseudo-voluntary educational dumbfuckery is the real enemy here. It's not enough for teachers to teach well and be liked by students, they also need to make a certain number of positive phone calls to students' parents and be well-liked by helicopter mom brigade. It's not enough for students to go to class and do their homework, they also need to be busy filling their future college app with sports, arts and community service. And, not everyone can be the lead in the school play (or the captain of the sportsball thingy), and that's where high-strung helicopter moms come in. A college-prep high school is full of conflict and drama, and the story takes us through all different aspects.
There are too many moments when the characters are Just Too Much for me. The English teacher is just a little too amazing, and that made it hard to empathize with her. (All her lesson plans are tops and she has time to mentor a new teacher? Sounds fake, but ok.) Some of the backstories were way too much, so it felt less like a slice-of-life novel about real humans at a real school, and more like a morality play about the dangers of helicopter parenting and the stress of high school.
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