This was a brilliantly written book about what it's like to live with Bipolar disorder. Through Maddy's journey, we learn what it feels like to experience a manic episode and depression. We learn how devastating getting the official mental health diagnosis can be and what it feels like to have to go on medications to control it. I felt for Maddy as she struggled with feelings of shame and uncertainty and being micro-managed by her mom. At the same time, I loved how Maddy wanted to be a stand-up comic and the determination and drive she had for it.

I really learned a lot about Bipolar disorder from reading this book!

What exactly does it mean to be normal? This is the question that Maddy is struggling with. For all of her life, she’s been told to do well in school, go to college, find an acceptable career, get married and have kids…this is how it’s done in her family. When she goes off to college, however, her life takes a different path. Alternating moods, bouts of depression, periods of mania…something is not right. At first she chalks it up to the normal struggles of a young person living away from home for the first time. And it doesn’t help that her long-term relationship has recently ended. But eventually the truth cannot be denied. Something is going on. When she’s diagnosed as bipolar, neither she nor her family know how to deal with it. This is a new world they must navigate, and they must find a new definition for normal. Once again Lisa Genova has nailed it. She does such a great job of writing about real issues with characters that the reader cares about.

always love Lisa Genova's books and this one was no exception! Maddy Banks is a young adult going to NYU. She is put on an antidepressant after dealing with depression and lethargy. This throws her into a manic episode in which she believes that she is going to write Taylor Swift's biography and that she is going to be a stand-up comedian. She ends up being hospitalized and diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

I so appreciate books where you can see something like Bipolar through the protagonist's eyes. I was rooting for Maddy all the way through the book. Lisa Genova does a superb job of researching and presenting the information. Excellent Read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the advanced digital copy of the book.

All of Lisa Genova's books have focused on some aspect of neuroscience and I'm super happy to see her dive into the world of mental illness. I read another reviewer say that "this book is easy to read without being an easy read" and I can't echo that sentiment enough. This book takes you through Maddy's ups in downs in a way that I've never seen bipolar disorder depicted.

This one will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @authorlisagenova @gallerybooks @netgalley and @bookloversthebuzz for the #gifted ebook and this is my honest review.

Maddy is a student at NYU trying to cope with the stress of college, an on again/off again relationship, and figuring out her future. She is given medication for depression which sets off a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Maddy is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The depression and manic episodes were hard to read but gave a better understanding of what was going through Maddy's mind. Being a mother I can understand Maddy's mother wanting to protect her but it was also maddening as I felt she was hindering Maddy in finding her new "normal" in being a standup comic.

Like Lisa Genova's book STILL ALICE, MORE OR LESS MADDY will stay with me for a long time. This is a moving and often heartbreaking look at a young college student as she struggles with the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and the effects on her identity, relationships and dreams. This book gave me a better understanding of bipolar disorder and the effects of the medication can have on the mind and body. I highly recommend you read this book.

This book hits really close to home, as it will for many readers, I'm sure. Mental illness, and especially bipolar disorder, carries so much stigma and Dr. Genova tells the story of Maddy with heart and honesty.

Maddy is a freshman at NYU and her family is part of the country club set in a Connecticut town. Her older sister is living in New York and is planning her wedding. Her brother is off to Australia for a semester. Maddy doesn't seem to fit in anywhere, with her on again, off again relationship with Adam and loss of high school BFF because of that relationship.

When Maddy starts believing that Taylor Swift is her friend and they will be working together, or that she is writing a comedy special for Netflix, the reader can see the spiral begin. We follow her through manic periods where she makes impulsive decisions that are often quite bad (using her mother's credit card to buy an unnecessary and absurdly expensive jacket, rage texting) and the crushing depressions that follow.

The book is easy to read without being an easy read. I found myself becoming very emotional at times, and I imagine other readers will, too.

My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“I wish you could feel what it feels like to be in my head.” —Selena Gomez

This is a quote in the introduction of this
exceptional novel by Lisa Genova that stuck with me so much. I read it in one day, blown away by Maddy.

While reading, I was reminded that on the days when it can be hard to do anything, just getting out of bed is a goal. If all you can do is take a shower, that’s okay. Struggles around mental health are real. They’re common. The more we continue to talk about it, the better we all will be. Maddy has to figure out how to navigate what her brain tells her. She must figure out how to function in the best way possible with bipolar disorder. Genova writes Maddy with the utmost compassion & realness, giving her a raw look at how it impacts her, shining a light on the stigma that must end around mental health.

Thank you, Lisa Genova, @bookloversthebuzz gallery books, & netgalley, for my gifted early copy & including me!

Genova's expert understanding and accessible explanations of neuroscience combined with her incredibly deep sense of empathy, make More or Less Maddy another incredibly powerful read from one of the best issues-driven novelists out there. Weaving both the humor and intrigue of navigating life as an aspiring stand-up comic and the emotionally fraught moments of dealing with having a mental illness, Maddy is one of the most authentic characters I've ever read. This book had me crying, screaming, laughing, and feeling every other emotion in-between. Though it just about wrecked me, I loved it!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #GalleryBooks for the book #MoreOrLessMaddy by #LisaGenova. I loved this book because it is a real thing that is going on all around you. The struggle is real and I have seen first hand how it affects people. In this book, Maddy is dealing with being bi polar and finding out how it affects her and her family and friends. This is a book everyone should read.

A deeply moving and introspective novel that follows Maddy, a young woman grappling with the complexities of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
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Brilliantly written. Lisa Genova provides a riveting and insightful look into how bipolar disorder shows up in life. I rooted for Maddy from the first page to the last.
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More Or Less Maddy delivered everything I look for in a superbly delivered character driven novel.

I waited for audio for this because I wanted the full experience of hearing it in my ears. This is so well-done. I thought the beginning was a little slow, but I respect the need to build. Every time Maddie was about to dive into manic behavior, I was *stressed*. Those scenes were so vivid.
My only nit (there's always one) is the end. I know endings are hard- I always say this when I don't like an ending-- but this one just.....stops. And then we get the epilogue in which people are the exact opposite of the way they were six months prior with some 'we worked it out' language. The book was long enough, we deserved to see Maddie work through that.

But I guess if we don't have it, the book is fine enough.

4.5 ⭐

Some books serve as a reminder to me not only of the joy of reading, but also of the importance of fiction. More or Less Maddy was one such read. ⁣

I should start by saying that Lisa Genova has long been a standout author for me because of her background. She has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard University, and each of her fictional books centers around a main character living with a neurological disorder. ⁣

This new release, More or Less Maddy, introduces us to Maddy Banks and allows us to walk alongside her as she receives a Bipolar diagnosis during her freshman year at NYU. And this is why I love fiction. Bipolar is so often stigmatized and misunderstood, colored with fear and misinformation. Through Maddy, however, Genova is able to humanize this disorder and put a face to it, shedding those stigmas, and leading to better understanding. I know I for one fell in love with Maddy. I found myself emotional as I witnessed what she had to endure, and it's impossible not to root for her as she finds her balance and follows her dreams. This is not only a compelling read that I found myself totally invested in, but it's also an important read. I loved this book so very much.

I highly recommend this powerful book. Lisa Genova once again masterfully combines storytelling with education through her portrayal of Maddy's journey with bipolar disorder. Through vivid depictions of her character's extreme emotional states, readers gain profound insight into how this condition impacts not only those diagnosed but also their entire support network. The narrative proved both captivating and illuminating.
Genova continues to excel at tackling challenging medical subjects with remarkable sensitivity. Her thoughtful approach and deep empathy for her characters shine through in every chapter, making complex topics accessible while never sacrificing authenticity or respect for those affected by the conditions she portrays.

Lisa Genova continues to be one of my favorite authors. Thank you to NetGalley and Scout Press for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

Review to be posted to Instagram @Nicki_Rachlin, Goodreads, and amazon.com

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. I actually think this newest title is possibly even better, it was 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!

More or Less Maddy is Lisa Genova’s latest beautiful masterpiece. She is a brilliant author and this time she brings to light the stigma of bipolar disorder and we learn how Maddy learns to live with it. I love EVERYTHING Lisa writes and highly recommend all her books. This hooked me from the first page and I read it in 1 day. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release. I know it will be a #1 best seller.

More or Less Maddy is one of the most powerful, honest, empowering book I have ever read. Lisa Genova gives us a raw, emotional look at bipolar disorder and everyone that is effected by a diagnosis. I highly recommend you read this immediately. Don't sit on it.

I remember reading Still Alice years ago and being so affected by it. I did not know much about Alzheimer's at the time, but it terrified me. As Genova is a Neuroscientist, the research and dedication to knowledge is so incredible within her novels.

More or Less Maddy is much of the same. I don’t think I have read a more unapologetic, raw and truthful depiction of bipolar disorder except for maybe Wally Lambs novel. This book broke my heart, made me do some of my own research and feel all the feels. The way Genova lets us see all sides of the disorder and provides hope is astounding. This will be one I think about for a long time. Thank you @netgalley for my copy.

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova is a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and personal growth. Through Maddy's struggles and triumphs, Genova delves into the emotional complexities of relationships and self-discovery with her signature depth and sensitivity. This beautifully written novel is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, resonating with readers long after the final page.

Maddy Banks is a perfectly normal 19-year-old girl who is enjoying her life as a NYU college student. Although, of course she’s stressed out, between having to balance her heavy course-load, her friends, and the recent breakup with her boyfriend. But that’s normal, right?

It all seems to be, until she feels unbelievably low. So low that she goes to the school clinic and is prescribed an anti-depressant. It makes her feel better. So much better in fact, that she feels incredible, a high she’s never felt before. This leads her to do some dangerous stuff that all culminates in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. As Maddy begins to navigate her “new normal,” author Genova takes readers on the highs and lows of the world of bipolar depression in a a very real, but gentle way.

I appreciated the honesty shown of how Maddy deals with life after her diagnosis, and related a lot to it as well, after having been dealing with with my own mental health issues since I was about Maddy’s age. Lisa Genova is in a lane of her own. Five well-deserved stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Scout Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest release by a very favorite author, Lisa Genova. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Maddy Banks is excited to start her freshman year at NYU. But soon she finds herself totally overwhelmed and low, finally culminating in a trip to the university health center and a prescription for antidepressants. She starts feeling so great and then soon spirals into a terrifying mania, until she is finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Can Maddy figure out her new life and still fulfill her dreams?

No one can write about how medical issues affect people like Lisa Genova, no surprise seeing as she is a Harvard-trained neuroscientist. Her books are always at the top of my most-anticipated reads, and this one is the perfect showcase as to why they are always 5 star reads for me. Mental health issues are still fraught with so much stigma that it's difficult to get proper treatment when needed. While Maddy struggles to accept and deal with her diagnosis, this book highlights just how much the rest of Maddy's family and friends have to deal with as well. Genova's writing is always sensitive, understanding, and so informative that they are complete must reads. This one touched all my emotions and left me feeling brighter and hopeful for Maddy, and so many others dealing with mental health issues. Highly, highly recommended!