It is an interesting read regarding a teenager finding out that she is bipolar. For those who know nothing about bipolar disease, it's a great read that touches on the effects that happen not only to the patient but also the family. Great read!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to review this book. As a mom of a neurodivergent child, I was intrigued by this book based on the description. When I dove into the story, I fell in love with Maddy and her loved ones. As always, the author is very well-versed in threading multi-layered characters. We need more tales like this to open the literary world for characters like Maddy to be seen. Without spoilers, I loved the ending. This book reads like a memoir. Thank you, Lisa.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I heard that Lisa Genova had a new title hitting shelves in 2025, I knew I wanted to read it. Unlike other popular authors today who release a book yearly, the neuroscientist/author takes a few years to research and flesh her characters out before releasing the next title. In the past, Genova has explored and created characters, who have been diagnosed and are living with traumatic brain disorders( Left Neglected), Alzheimer's( Still Alice), ALS( Every Note Played), Huntington's Disease( Inside the O'Briens), or a parent trying to understand their autistic child( Love Anthony).

In More or Less Maddy, Lisa Genova gives us a character, Maddy Banks, a college student, recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Similar to all her books, Genova gives us all the edges of what it is like for a person to live with this mental illness. It is often an emotional read as we experience the highs and lows of Maddy's journey. At the heart of the novel is always a family story. While we see the story from the perspective of Maddy, no doubt scenes involving her mother, her siblings Emily and Jack, her stepfather, and her friends will resonate with readers. At times, I had empathy with her family members and at other times, like Maddy, I was just as frustrated as how they tried to keep her diagnosis under wraps.

It was interesting how Maddy channels her energy into stand-up comedy. Genova uses this to highlight how many people in the comedy world also live with bipolar disorder. I appreciated in the author's note that Lisa Genova immersed herself in a comedy workshop and even interviewed a Starbucks barista to get Maddy's role down perfectly. That's cool!

I have so much more to say about this book but don't want to risk spoiling the story in my review. So maybe I will wait a bit and discuss in the comments below the novel in further detail. Feel free to join the conversation.

This anticipated 2025 release is certainly worth the hype!




Expected publication 14/01/25
Goodreads Review 13/-1/25

Thank you to Lisa Genova, NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for an advanced copy. More or Less Maddy is an insightful look at bipolar disorder. My book pet peeve is when the issue of mental illness is portrayed insensitively, so I definitely appreciated that Maddy’s story was crafted with care and knowledge by a neuroscientist. The story felt authentic and honest. Maddy’s venture into standup comedy gave the book some laugh out loud moments without ever making mental illness the punchline. It is also always eye-opening as a non-American to have a glimpse at what it’s like to navigate the American health care system, including the financial burden of hospitalization. I liked this book and would recommend. Other great novels I’ve enjoyed by Lisa Genova are Still Alice and Left Neglected.

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova is a deeply moving and beautifully written novel that I could not put down. The story is heart-wrenching yet full of hope, and the characters feel so real and relatable. Genova’s portrayal of Maddy’s journey is both raw and empathetic, capturing the complexities of living with a life-altering diagnosis. The character development is simply perfect—each person feels fully realized, with their own struggles and growth. This book left me with a lot to think about and will stay with me long after finishing it. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys stories that explore love, resilience, and the human spirit

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for my honest review

I feel so fortunate that More or Less Maddy was the first book I read in 2025.

This novel was so good.

More or Less Maddy is the story of Maddy, a young adult who is navigating life with bipolar. Maddy was struggling when starting University, she had a manic episode and it was soon determined that she was bipolar. Lisa Genova brings the reader along for a ride as we see how this diagnosis affects Maddy, her family, her friends, and her choices.

Maddy's story is believable, It's heart-wrenching and raw. As I read the novel, I wanted to jump in and help Maddy and encourage her. Genova brings up so many situations that happen to a person when they are bipolar. Reading this novel made me more aware of bipolar and appreciate how difficult it is to manage and live with.

More of Less Maddy is a must-read. Maddy's story will touch everyone. The novel is informative, honest, and an important read.

*** Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

I’m a big fan of Lisa Genova and had high expectations for this book. As always it was informative and insightful into an under recognized human condition that we need to know more about. The storyline was well developed although a little “old” as there have been many advancements around mental health supports particularly in higher education that I thought were missing. Another critique I have is that I really felt the mom was viewed in too harsh of a light. I know families where bipolar disorder lives in one of their members and the struggles are every single day. I would have liked to see Genova offer a bit more grace towards the mother. But that aside - this novel does very successfully what every single other Lisa Genova novel has - offers the reader a Indy bit of insight into a disease or condition that we need more knowledge of and compassion towards and calls us to task! Big thanks to @authorlisagenova @simonschusterca @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Can’t wait to read Lisa Genova’s next offering!

Lisa Genova always manages to educate as she entertains and she succeeds in doing that once again with this novel. This time she tackles 'bipolar disorder'. Told from the point of view of a young woman (Maddy) newly suffering with it, the book reads at a different pace, depending on whether Maddy is manic, depressed or steady and thus somewhat captures the feeling of her reality for the reader. I also thought the reactions of friends and family fairly portrayed both the fear, denial, frustration and even embarrasment or shame they would feel. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reading copy. I enjoyed it, found it hard to put down and came away entertained and more knowledgable. 4.25/5

I haven't read a Lisa Genova book since Still Alice but I was BLOWN away but her latest about a young college student diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her ups and downs learning how to manage the condition as she pursues a career as a New York City standup comic. It was great on audio and oh so relatable. The mental health rep in this book is AMAZING and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to better understand bipolar disorder. This will be a standout read for me in 2025! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Lisa Genova is an excellent writer of the genre of fiction mixed with real-world science and issues that many people deal with. With Genova`s training as a neuroscientist her understanding, research and decant approach to tough topics is excellent. This novel focuses on a college student named Maddy who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder while at university. We follow her through her cycles of depression and mania before and after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This was emotionally draining for the reader at times but it helps to make one more understanding. I had a love-hate relationship/ feelings towards many characters in the story including Maddy. Though the book was easy to get into the emotional swings were hard and made me need to take breaks from the book to step back from the situation. It was an interesting way to learn more about bipolar disorder, especially when you may know deeply or in passing someone with this condition.

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada | Simon & Schuster for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Lisa Genova is a five star author when writing about anything to do with the brain. She's one of those authors that I will always buy no matter the subject. I love all of her books.

More or Less Maddy gave me insight into a disease I know very little about - bipolar disorder. I loved this book as much as I have all of Genova's previous books because I always enjoy when a book can show me the point of view of someone else's situations. I definitely walked away from this book with more empathy for those struggling with Bipolar.

More or Less Maddy is powerful novel that plunges the reader into the shoes of a young woman who suddenly spirals out of average and into bipolar. Her lofty perceptions and risky choices in the midst of her manic phases are hard to read but are very familiar to anyone who has a bipolar loved one Her complete despair when she crashes is equally hard to read. Genova humanizes Maddy, and does the same with her loved ones. You can understand why they each act the ways they do, and the sheer authenticity of their reactions is heartbreaking on so many levels. This novel is hard to read but ultimately uplifting. It will stay with me for a long time. Many thanks to Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist as well as a novelist, for writing this novel with honesty and compassion.
#SimonandShuster #Netgalley #LisaGenova

“More or Less Maddy” is a beautifully written and well-researched book. Maddy, an NYU freshman, has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The novel follows Maddy as she experiences several depressive and manic phases and struggles to find a plateau between the two.

Lisa Genova has a gift for sharing the raw truths and complexities of various illnesses and disorders in her novels. “More or Less Maddy” was another instance of the author’s ability to share the realities of a disorder, by creating relatable characters and sharing their struggles and triumphs.

3.5 STARS - Author Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist by trade, is known for tackling big issues in her books and wrapping intriguing stories around them that both entertain and educate her readers. In her latest book More or Less Maddy, Genova focuses her story around bipolar disorder.

Maddy Banks is a university student at NYU who has always felt like the black sheep of her family. When life knocks her down again and again, she decides to go on antidepressants and initially feels good - until she spirals out of control in a bout of mania and finally receives a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Genova vividly describes how a bipolar person can spiral from mania to depression, from treatment to thinking they're 'okay now' and going off their meds only to start the difficult process over again. We witness how hard it is for people with mental illness to navigate their way in a world (and sometimes in their own families) that continue to stigmatize and shame them.

This was a slower moving story that never quite pulled me fully into the story (with a bit too much time spent on Maddy's stand-up dreams). That said, it is a thought-provoking story and I appreciate learning more about bipolar disorder and how the illness impacts the individual and those around them.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Gallery/Scout Press for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for an honest review.

This review was posted Dec 14, 2024

Thank you Simon & Shuster Canada and NetGalley for the ARC of More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova in exchange for an honest review.
More or Less Maddy discusses an important topic regarding bipolar and the stigmatism in our society about mental health. Lisa Genova did an amazing job showing the depressive and manic episodes of bipolar, why people with bipolar stop taking their medication and the ripple effect on family, friends and even day-to-day life.

This story is told from Maddy’s perspective and it starts with Maddy starting college and it not turning out how she imagined. Glad to be away from her mother’s watchful eye, Maddy was hoping for fun and freedom. Maddy finds her 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, school, partying and visions of a future become crystal clear. Until they don’t. For the next year or so, Maddy, her mother, and her older sister try to adjust to a new normal that includes medication, hospital stays, therapy, sobriety, and mood check-ins—a two steps forward, one step back dance that trips them up more than it keeps them in sync.
I thought the novel educates on mental health and forces to us to ask questions. I could not put this book down and is should be a must-read in January, 2025.
In the author's note at the end of the book, Ms Genova says: “I hope that this novel helps to humanize this disorder.” My immediate response is: Yes, it does!

Lisa Genova is known for her books that deal with real medical conditions in an authentic and respectful way. It's evident that she does a lot of research and digs deep into the subject matter. With More or Less Maddy she opened my eyes to bipolar. Being unfamiliar with it this was a true eye opener.

For 19-year-old Maddy, a freshman at NYU, she has all the experiences other first years have but her world comes tumbling down with a bipolar diagnosis. I did find this book slow going at the beginning, but after her episodes and diagnosis I was captivated. Though there were a few times I had to set the book aside as I found it a bit emotionally and overwhelming with all that she was going through. This was very much a telling story, seen through Maddy’s eyes. Talk about a first hand account.

More or Less Maddy is a story of mental health and the stigma that goes with it and about family, one can't help feeling her mother’s struggle also. A well written read.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a digital arc and exchange for a honest review

***** 5 stars! More or Less Maddy is not an easy read but it definitely is a must read!
A huge Thank You to Lisa Genova for undertaking writing such a compassionate story centred around such a stigmatized topic.
Her writing draws you in from the first chapter. Although the subject matter of mental health -specifically bipolar disorder-is anything but light, her talent for story telling and the weaving of (researched) factual information into that story is unparalleled.
Thank You to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Lisa Genova for the opportunity to read and appreciate this ARC.

I have just taken a journey into the world of a person who has been diagnosed as bipolar. Wow! What an interesting but mostly scary and uncomfortable journey it has been.

Lisa Genova is a neurologist-scientist but she brings the complexity of the disorder to a layman's level.

The reader meets Maddy, a young lady who is just starting university. It is common for bipolar disorder to show up in a person in their teens. The story illustrates how the disorder has a ripple effect on family, friends, day-to-day life. We quickly see both the manic side and the depressive side. Neither one is preferable over the other.

Parts of the book were difficult to read, but compelling at the same time. Mental illness is not spoken of very much, even in this day and age. And, often family members tend to hide it, something to be ashamed of.

I was hoping that Maddy would be able to get her challenges under control. Watching the incredible swings between manic and depressive was very emotional for me. Watching her reaction to drug therapy is difficult. Sometimes it is a challenge to find the right combination of drugs as everyone is different. Maddy's struggle is real.

Due to Ms Genova's profession, I have complete confidence that this is an accurate depiction of bipolar disorder. Because it does not have clear edges, nor is it definitive, it is very difficult to understand that the brain can affect a person as it does. Kudos to her for all the in-depth research she did. Ms Genova even interviewed a Starbucks barista to ensure Maddie's part-time job was depicted accurately.

In the author's note at the end of the book, Ms Genova says: “I hope that this novel helps to humanize this disorder.”
I'm reporting back: Yes, it does!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

🧠 T O P N O T C H T H U R S D A Y review 🧠 featuring “More or Less Maddy” by Lisa Genova!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Maddy Banks is having a hard time keeping everything together as a freshman at NYU! Living away from home for the first time is one thing, but the added pressure of getting good grades, showing up to class, meeting new friends and juggling a boyfriend has become A LOT for her.

Maddy starts to take antidepressants and things start to really spiral out of control as she begins to have manic episodes. Her family seeks out help after a shocking event takes place. Once she is formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Maddy and her family must learn how to navigate this new reality for all of them!

Oh Lisa Genova, you have it done again! Every single one your books are outstanding, intriguing and masterfully written! There aren’t enough books out there that cover mental health topics like bi-polar disorder. Not only did I learn a lot about bipolar disorder, but also the side effects of medication and how to support a person living with this disorder.

Thank you kindly to @authorlisagenova @simonschusterca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange of my honest review! This book releases on January 14, 2025 and is a must read for readers of all genres!

Another brilliant masterpiece in Lisa Genova’s pocket! Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Maddy as she is diagnosed as bipolar. What follows is Maddy’s mania and depression, which we experience first hand from her point of view. I had always heard about the effects of lithium and Maddy made it real. It gave me some insight as to how a person with bipolar must feel. I loved every moment of Maddy’s ups and felt bad about her downs. A well written novel worth reading!