Books are often referred to as being "windows" or "mirrors"-- I think that "More or Less Maddy" is a great "window" into what it would be like to live with bipolar disorder AND could potentially be a great "mirror" for those living with the mental illness as well. I really enjoyed reading and learning about Maddy's experience and felt deeply for her and her family. I'm so thankful for Lisa Genova for providing such well researched books with well developed stories and characters, to help provide windows and mirrors into illnesses that we may otherwise not have personal experience with. This is one that will stick with me for a long time.

Freshman year at NYU is not turning out exactly how Maddy imagined her college life to be. Happy to be distanced from the watchful eye of her mother’s country club mentality, Maddy expected more fun and freedom to follow. Instead she is finding classes difficult, focus nearly impossible and as her high school boyfriend Adam is thriving at Columbia, she is faking most of their time together. Finally accepting some assistance at the student health center Maddy goes on a widely used antidepressant that immediately takes effect. She has more energy than a rocket ship and school, partying and visions of a future become crystal clear. Until they don’t. With the fog lifted Maddy falls into a severe mania that spirals out of control landing her in the hospital, diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her family cannot understand how a perfectly healthy girl with every opportunity is falling apart before their very eyes. While her mother grabs the reins to rebuild Maddy’s life, and keep her safe, Maddy falls further into a complex world of drug cocktails with multiple side effects leaving her a shadow of her former self. One she cannot recognize or love. Maddy must learn to navigate this new world she did not choose and does not know if she can ever accept. Once again incredible author Lisa Genova introduces her readers to the unpredictable world of bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive, a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings and episodes of mania. As these characters capture our hearts and imaginations we learn about an illness that effects an estimated 4.4% of adults nationwide. This novel educates, fosters empathy and forces us to ask questions. I could not put it down. Releases in January, this is a must read for 2025!!

Lisa Genova is a must-read author for me as she's not afraid to tackle the tough subjects as she does once again in More or Less Maddy which tells the story of Maddy, a college freshman, who has bipolar disorder. As someone who little experience with bipolar disorder, Maddy's story allowed me to learn about the realities of this disorder. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Maddy has always felt like the odd one out in her perfect Connecticut family. When she experiences a terrifying mania that requires in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, she has even more to navigate.

Anyone interested in fictional stories representing real life disorders, read this one. Bipolar Disorder was portrayed very accurately. I’m not always pleased with the mental health portrayal in books, but this one was done right. The very early stages of diagnosis are shown and we see the chaos of the start: diagnosis, medication trial, denial and all the emotions that go with it. On top of that it was really fun to have the comedy club scenes and routines!

“The invitation requesting her presence at a normal life has been rescinded. In its place, she’s been invited to an abnormal life, the box for WILL ATTEND already checked, leaving her no choice.”

More or Less Maddy comes out 1/14.

I found this story to be incredibly captivating and educational. I learned a lot about bipolar disorder and the impact it has on the individual and their loved ones. The author did a really good job of portraying mental health issues. I highly recommend this one.

Wow. What an important topic. Maddy Banks is a college student at NYU. She is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and wants to live a normal life. Her family rallies around her but understanding her diagnosis and limits has them all frustrated. Maddy just wants to be normal. This book really opened my eyes to how people with mental illness are treated. It was an important read and one the author did a great job researching.

Thank you @thrillerbookloversthepulse for the #gifted copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader copy of More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova in exchange for a review.
The one thing I really enjoy about Lisa Genova's books is the way she so vividly describes how the main character is feeling/what they are going through. In Still Alice it was palpable reading how Alice declines into dementia, and it is the same with Maddy in this book, as we see her spiral completely out of control in the first person. It brings a real sense of what Bipolar disorder is and in turn a greater understanding for those suffering. I also felt a connection with Maddy's family and could easily see their points of view.
I truly enjoy Genova's books and recommend them all of the time to my patrons. This one might be triggering for anyone with a close relation also struggling, or it might a tool for understanding the disorder.
4*

I love Lisa Genova. Such a brilliant woman and beautiful writer. Such a great inside look at Bipolar Disorder and its ripple effect onto loved ones. I loved the characters and how a real manic episode (and depressive episode that typically follows)is portrayed. Very real and heartbreaking.
Thank you NetGalley for granting me permission to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Lisa Genova has written some outstanding books, and I admire her unique perspective on brain disorders, shaped by her background as a neuroscientist. While her books are rooted in science, she emphasizes the humanity of those living with these conditions. In the author's note, she mentions that this is her first book to address a disorder in the mental illness category, and I think she handled it exceptionally well.

I was drawn into young Maddy's story and truly felt for both her and her mom. Although the mother could be difficult at times, she was also incredibly relatable—her protective instincts were so real that I could see glimpses of myself in her cringeworthy actions.

Overall, it’s a great book, and I’ll definitely be recommending it.

5+ stars—Lisa Genova has once again delivered an incredible story, showcasing her trademark depth of research. In this novel, we follow Maddy, a college student whose bipolar diagnosis fuels her passion for stand-up comedy. What stands out is how Genova captures Maddy’s authentic self through both her manic highs and depressive lows. Her actions and conversations feel so raw and genuine that I found myself completely absorbed, oblivious to everything else around me.

There’s no glossing over the realities here; the characterizations are profoundly emotional and sometimes heartbreaking. I absolutely loved this book! (Though to be fair, I’ve loved every book by this author.) Thank you to the publisher and author for the privilege of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜.”

If you’ve ever read Lisa Genova before you know she’s a master of shining a light on very human experience of various brain diagnoses. Still Alice is still one of my all time reads. Lisa has a PhD in neuroscience and it shows in her work but more than just accuracy, stories she chooses to tell make you see and feel through characters’ experiences, lets you truly experience what it’s like to live in this case with a mood disorder.

Maddy’s story took me on a wild emotional ride. This was not an “easy” read, especially for someone with lived experience of a mood disorder but it was beautifully written and made Maddy feel like a real person I was getting to know. In a world that still does not understand and often stigmatizes mental health issues, this is such an important read! Unfortunately people tend to have more empathy mainly for those whose shoes they can put themselves in. More or less Maddy gives readers such an intimate look into the inside world of someone newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And how it impacts her loved ones and her relationships with them.

It’s not all heaviness of course! There are many moments of warmth and hope. With or without mental health issues for many of us the road to self-acceptance and self-love wasn’t a straight line. If you love contemporary fiction, family dramas and stories about mental health, you’ll definitely want to pick up this one! @bookloversthebuzz crew is thrilled to share this one with #bookstagram

A huge thank you to Gallery Books & NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love everything Lisa Genova writes. This book is no exception. She really makes you understand the issue her main character deals with. In this case, bipolar disorder. Her writing draws you in and keeps you interested. My only beef with this book is that it would have been good to hear from others in Maddy's world and how they reacted to her mental illness. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an emotional read. If you are looking for something that is emotional, give you warmth and emphasise on the human experiences. Maddy’s story and all her experiences will deeply touch you. Have you heard about Bipolar disorder? Well, reading a book from the experiences of someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder was different. Author has covered the mental health issues so well and shown us the world from the perspective of Maddy. This book was emotional, moving, poignant and powerful. The book has been written so well. And I loved the message it delivered.

Thanks to the Publisher and Author.

This was a tough read, but also an important one for better understanding someone living with bipolar disorder. Maddy is a typical teen with aspirations and angst, living with her family. When Maddy’s personality and physical appearance begin to change after her freshman year at NYU, her mother is concerned about what others will think and refuses to accept that her daughter may need help. Maddy’s behavior becomes extreme at times, even frightening, Through all the highs and lows, she just wants to be accepted and taken seriously, but she must learn a new way of life. I appreciated the author’s background in neuroscience, which brought authenticity to this story. It was both informative and enlightening!

4 solid stars for "More or Less Maddy" by the amazing Lisa Genova! I've read most of the author's back-list over the last ten years, starting of course with "Still Alice", which was originally self-published, a big hit & then a great film. While I don't think this newest title is quite that good, it was still very moving & educational - especially about the bipolar disease process and the stigma of mental illness. I found it very well-written & had some great characters with Maddy & her Mom especially, along with health care professionals and other characters in their lives, and showed how mental disease affects more than just the patient. Glad Genova's back & hope she continues to write these very important books! My thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for my complimentary DRC - my pleasure to review it!

My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy of a novel dealing with a young girl with dreams who has to reappraise her entire life when she receives health information that makes everything she has gone through make sense, though it makes her future uncertain.

I read books to escape from things that's a given, but I also read books to learn new things, and even more to try and see the world from a different point of view. Reading the same old stuff only reinforces many of the believes that we have, sort of like only watching one news channel, or only following like minded people on social media. I read books to see life through other eyes, be it foreign mysteries, diverse authors, and those dealing with problems I might never face. I think reading books like this makes one more empathetic, and that is something this world needs a lot more of. Novel can put you in the shoes of a person, show their life, and make their problems relatable and understandable. And worth reading about. More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova is a story about a young girl, who has always felt lost, and finds out why, which opens up a whole new world of problems.

Maddy Banks is a young student at NYU, and just trying to get through the day without losing it. Maddy has dealing with a recent breakup and this one seems harder to get over. Growing up in Connecticut, Maddy always seemed out of step with her family, always the squeaky wheel, the nail that stands up. This might be why she dreams of a career not in business or in being part of family, but in comedy, particularly stand-up. Maddy goes on antidepressants, but instead of leveling out, Maddy goes higher and higher, feeling elation, energy and a loss of control, something she has never had before. The diagnosis is bipolar disorder, which leaves Maddy at a loss. Does this explain why she has always felt the way she has? What kind of an effect will this have on her, her relationships and her family. Does she give up dreaming? And what kind of a life can she have.

There was a lot I enjoyed in the book, and not because Maddy was the name of my favorite animal. I love the fact that the author treats the characters with respect, never trying to make this the disease of the week, or a Lifetime movie moment. Lisa Genova is a very skilled writer, and a trained neuroscientist, who can explain complicated psychological conditions, without losing the narrative, and without sounding like a lecture. In other books where there would be, oh woe is me alas, alack alay, these characters have realistic moments of doubt. And fear, and worry. Yet again not played for drama, but to show readers this is not the end of the world. Bad things happen, and yet we can adapt and go on. Maddy is a fun character, and can be funny, which is good as she does care about comedy. Genova revels things about Maddy that shows what here life has been like, and what dealing with mental disorders has cost her, and what it has given her. Plus there is a lot of strength in Maddy, and as she proves it to herself, readers can't help but be glad for her.

Lisa Genova has done much for readers highlighting many of the problems that people have and taken the stigma of their illness away. Readers learn not only about these disorders, but how not to be afraid, and how to be able to help. And to listen. This is a good book for new readers, as well as one fans will of course enjoy. I look forward to more by Lisa Genova.

What a powerful book. Through Genova's prose your are taken into the world of a bipolar character. You truly feel the struggle, frustration and ups and down of anyone with this disease. Beautifully written with compassion.

I am always looking forward to Lisa Genova's new book. As a neuroscientist, Genova has written novels about Alzheimer, autism, Huntington's disease, and ALS. Now, her latest novel, "More or Less Maddy," will tell a story of Maddy with her bipolar disorder.

TW: self-harm

"I find it fascinating that they put people with such a high risk for suicide on a cocktail of serious meds and totally trust us not to overdose. It's like handing us a loaded gun and saying, 'Just don't point it at your head, okay?'."


Maddy Banks is a freshman at NYU, juggling and trying to adapt a college life, city life, and single life after broken up with her boyfriend. She feels low, unhappy, the opposite of okay, yet she couldn't pinpoint what she has to be depressed about. Before college, Maddy had her life pull together, but now is a total mess, until at the end, she's having a total breakdown and experiencing a manic episode.

Genova is amazingly taking you to enter Maddy's chaos mind which gradually worsen, taking us to see from Maddy's perspective, and introducing us to the world of bipolar disorder - how to keep stable, how to not slip into manic stage, how to accept her condition.
I feel for Maddy, I feel for Maddy's family. While reading this book, I feel the tension (and hoping not) of Maddy is about to slip into manic state again.

This was a fascinating read, hard to put down, and definitely will stay with me for a long time.

I’m a huge fan of this author and her books that tell amazing stories. Maddy is a college freshman when she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. We follow along with Maddy as she learns her diagnosis and struggles to accept the stigma that goes with mental illness. My favorite part of the book is near the end when Maddy tries to say, Is she bipolar or does she have bipolar. The comparisons she makes are so real and highlights that having a mental illness is not who a person is, the same as a person with cancer that’s not who they are. This is an eye opening book that everyone should read. I loved the characters and lost track of time reading this book because it is so good!

This book is about an aspiring stand up comedian who has undiagnosed with bipolar disorder. Maddy Banks thinks she is just like any other stressed out freshman…but what starts with antidepressant leads somewhere she doesn’t expect.

This book felt like a very authentic look at someone with bipolar disorder. I think Maddy’s character is really going to resonate with readers.

I really liked how we see this through Maddy’s eyes - honestly at times it was a little shocking but also really made me think.
We see so many different aspects of her life and how mental illness affects it. Sometimes it is truly heartbreaking but also inspirational.

Yes there are some tough scenes to read but overall this is a heartwarming story. I was really rooting for Maddy!