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!

Long a consistent reader of the author, I know how greatly effective she is at making the reader truly inhabit the main character feeling their emotions--however, in this case experiencing Maddy's ongoing highs/lows made me feel completely anxious while reading this book.

With thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this e-ARC.

Maddy Banks is embarking on her freshman year at NYU when she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her highs are high, filled with delusions of becoming Taylor Swift’s opening act (as a comedian!) and manic writing, and her lows are low, complete with a doorless bedroom. Genova takes us on Maddy’s journey, pulling us into the episodes she is navigating as a newly diagnosed person with bipolar disorder and a mother who is struggling to accept what is clearly a new reality, despite it not fitting in with her perfect, suburban Connecticut life. Maddy’s story gives those on the outside a little glimpse into life on the inside of this illness.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Gallery Books for my #gifted copy and thank you Simon Audio for my #gifted listening copy of More or Less Maddy! #gallerybooks #GalleryInfluencer #MoreorLessMaddy #LisaGenova #simonaudio

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟱★ (𝗔𝗟𝗟.𝗧𝗛𝗘. 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦.)

This book was everything. If you read one book this year, make it this one. Lisa Genova has found a way to make a complex topic like mental health so much more accessible. I won’t summarize the book, but I will say that I have never read a book that felt so REAL. The main character, Maddy Banks, had so many similarities to a friend of mine. I was literally speechless as I read and listened to this book, and saw some of the same behaviors during a manic episode as my friend. I never talk to my husband about books I read. Ever. And I could not stop talking to him about this book. I think this book did such an amazing job making the reader realize that bi-polar is a disorder, and it’s not who the person is. They are so much more than their diagnosis. Maddy is a comedian who has bipolar disorder.

This book made me laugh and it made me cry. It made me pause to think and reflect. I know I’ve said books are ‘must read’ books in the past, but I truly believe this one is a MUST READ. Lisa Genova is absolutely brilliant.

This book would make the perfect book club pick. I think there could be so much great discussion around this one!

I mostly listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by the talented Tessa Albertson. I thought Albertson was the perfect voice for Maddy. I cannot recommend this one on audio enough. You could hear the emotion in her voice, and it just felt like everything about this on audio felt right.

Posted on Goodreads on January 11, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around January 11, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on January 14, 2025
**-will post on designated date

I have been a fan of Lisa Genova since I first read Still Alice many years ago. I've loved everything that I've read by her and this was no exception. I may say this was my favorite of her books yet. I love the way that she sheds light on neurological conditions that may not otherwise be written about commonly. And she does so in a way that is accessible to those who may not understand it. This book made my heart break for Maddy. I loved her!! I felt for her so much as she was dealing with her diagnosis, and I loved that there were moments of humor throughout the book as well. This was a total 5 stars for me I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!

Between this awesome cover and that I still think of Still Alice at times, I knew I needed to read this book.

I think everyone could benefit from reading books that show mental illness from the inside. I was able to walk in Maddy’s shoes and feel her highs and lows with her. And it’s a scary thought how quickly she shifts from control to out of control. And at times how close my thoughts might be on the edge.

Maddy is such a relatable character. I connected with her right away. And I kept dreaming with her that there was an answer for her. But like I’ve always read the book does a great job of showcasing the human side of this illness. And the ups and downs and what starts out as an everyday thought slips into the extremes. I appreciated how it also showed the strain on loved ones as the illness took over.

This was a little hard at times to read and digest, but those moments with Maddy gave me a deeper understanding of what those living with the illness endure.

Tessa Albertson did a great job of narrating and making Maddy’s trials spring to life. It was a seamless experience switching back and forth from the book to the audiobook.

Powerful story about a young adult female and her journey through learning she has Bipolar 1. The main character and her story are a raw, intense, and vivid depiction of her state of mind during major mental health challenges from the very first chapter. While I give this book 5 stars for the way in which the author pulls you in and has you immersed in the character, it should also be cautioned that the material may be too much for some readers due to significant themes and scenes involving suicidal behaviors/suicidal ideation and self-harm. On the flip side, the author also does a magnificent job of how portraying how much an individual coping with significant mental health needs and benefits from supports who love them unconditionally and provide light in the dark.

I look forward to reading anything Lisa Genova because of the unique medical perspective she brings. This exploration of a bipolar diagnosis hit on so many levels. This was totally raw, with really good writing, and will educate so many readers on so much while still entertaining them. I'm so glad this book exists!

What does a normal life mean?
More or Less, Maddy is not only a raw emotional story but is educational and insightful into the mental health illness world. Maddy is a teenage college student who has just learned of her bipolar diagnosis. Maddie is making her way through the highs and lows of life living with bipolar disorder, an overbearing, controlling mother, and how to navigate societal expectations. On top of that, Maddy is thrust into medication that spirals her into manic episodes.
It was painful, complex, and utterly humanizing to read.
I loved how this book transports you into the bipolar world. I felt like I was riding the tidal waves with her. You experience every up and down with Maddy, and though I was not very familiar with this mental illness going into the book, it was truly eye-opening.
This was my first Lisa Genova book, and will certainly not be my last. The writing was beautiful and captivating.