Maddy is your everyday college student. Sure she is struggling a bit with fitting in, but the health center gave her an antidepressant to help with that. Shortly after however, she is filled with energy, realizes that Taylor Swift is obviously waiting for her to come find her, and Netflix is calling to offer her a comedy special. All which leads to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Maddy went from normal to not knowing how to live her life overnight. The lows and dangerously low, and the highs are just as dangerously high.

Ok so I feel I need to start by saying that this is not an easy read. I read the first half before bed one night and seriously had dreams that I was having a full blown breakdown. I think bipolar is something that so many people know very little about, and probably judge. Years ago I listened to a podcast with a comedian that had manic episodes and it was so fascinating and heartbreaking to listen to his story. Reading this book, I was taken back to that podcast, and while I don’t know what it is like to have this diagnosis, comparing the two I feel like Lisa Genova did an amazing job writing from Maddy’s perspective. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that wants to understand what someone with this diagnosis may be feeling and going through. Again, not an easy read at all, but so well done, I could not put it down.

Thank you to @gallerybooks for my gifted copy of this book!

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK TOUR BOOK REVIEW 📚

More or Less Maddy By Lisa Genova
Publication Date: January 14, 2025
Publisher: Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

More or Less Maddy is a poignant and powerful story about life with bipolar disorder, offering an eye-opening perspective into its impacts on both the person diagnosed and those who love her.

Maddy is a sophomore at NYU in her early twenties, trying to cope with the stresses of classes, an on-and-off-again relationship with her high school boyfriend, and figuring out what she wants to do with her life. Initially, she appears to just be struggling to adjust to college life. As the story continues, however, the reader begins to glimpse the downward spiral in Maddy's life that ultimately culminates into quite a dramatic scene with her family as her mental health challenges become glaringly apparent. The remainder of the story highlights the ups-and-downs of the diagnosis for Maddy, as well as those who love her, as everyone tries to figure out how to cope with and accept this new normal in their lives.

This book is brilliantly written, laden with highly emotional storylines that are handled with respect and authenticity. Though I wondered if this book might feel like really heavy, it didn't at all. In fact, it was a fast read for me. The writing felt realistic and honest. Though seeing the cyclic nature of the mania and depression from Maddy's viewpoint - and in real time - was gut-wrenching at times, it also provided a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder for me and I greatly appreciated that. I enjoyed reading about the honest struggles of Maddy's family members, as they tried to balance their desire to protect her with their need to allow her to live with - and thrive with - this life-changing diagnosis. I felt tears spilling over in the last chapters and realized how incredibly emotionally invested I had become with the characters of this book.

More Or Less Maddy was a beautiful story and I applaud Genova's commitment to getting bipolar disorder right. Her acknowledgements and author's notes at the end of the book really shine a light on her dedication to doing the research and ensuring the reader received an accurate portrayal of this character's mental health journey. I was grateful and honored to be part of this book tour with Book Lovers The Buzz, Gallery Books, and Lisa Genova herself, and this is my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced e-copy of this book too.

#MoreOrLessMaddy #LisaGenova #GalleryBooks #GalleryScoutPress #booktour #bookloversthebuzz #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #mentalhealthawareness #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #bookaddict

I completely devoured this book.
As someone who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at a young age and has been through it, Genova really hit the mark.
We follow along Maddy’s journey of being diagnosed, depressed and manic episodes along with stopping medication when thinking you don’t them. Going through a cycle. How hard it can be for her family but also them not understanding.
Very thought out and educational. It would be a great book club pick. So happy to be able to pick this one up with The Buzz.

I love to read books to learn about things that I haven't experienced. This book hit the mark! It delved into bipolar disorder in a way that seemed very genuine. The characters were well developed. The story covered the effects of the disorder not only on the person with it, but how it affects the family members. Well told, heartwarming, empathetic and riveting. Kept me up a few nights. Glad I'm done with it only because I hope that means I won't stay up reading late anymore.

This is only the second novel I've read by Lisa Genova. It just confirms that I definitely need to read more of her writing.

I'm really impressed by how a woman from my generation is able to write from the mind of a Gen Z girl. She does it so well and really captures her voice on page, making her feel so real the entire time. And while I know of bipolar disorder, I've never really seen it play out the way I did through this novel. I felt like I was watching a train wreck every time Maddy went through one of her manic periods, especially when it got to an extreme. She'd have everything under control and then suddenly it would all spiral at a rapid pace. The depression was hard to read about too, as it felt so raw and painful.

I found myself getting so angry at Maddy's mother, but also could relate to her at other times. It made me think of when I was watching Felicity and would get angry at her parents for judging her choices but also understood where they were coming from.

Overall, this is a really well-thought-out novel that put me right in the head of someone going through something really difficult in their life. I really liked the comedic bits that were included and found myself laughing along with Maddy during her career journey. More or Less Maddy will be available in mid-January, so be sure to grab a copy and devour it like I did!

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Maddy: Rachel Sennott
Emily: Elizabeth Lail
Amy (Maddy's mom): Marley Shelton
Maddy's grandma: Blythe Danner
Max: Joe Keery
Dr. Weaver: Melissa Leo
Adam: Cody Christian

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TW: suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, intense scenes during manic periods

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova is a powerful, empathetic exploration of bipolar disorder through the eyes of Maddy, a young woman navigating the chaos of diagnosis and treatment while finding her voice as a stand-up comedian. Genova’s portrayal is raw, authentic, and respectful, shedding light on the challenges of mental illness without reducing Maddy to her condition. The story seamlessly balances emotional depth with humor, offering vivid comedy club scenes that showcase Maddy’s resilience in a male-dominated industry. Blending Genova’s expertise as a neuroscientist with her literary skill, this quick yet impactful read is both educational and deeply moving

Maddy is a teenager, she lives in a wealthy suburb in Connecticut with her mom, step dad, brother and sister. Maddy has a boyfriend and is all set to start at NYU as a freshman in the fall. What Maddy and her family do not know is that within the next year, life will change drastically for Maddy as she suffers from the mental illness labeled bipolar disease. Lisa Genova expertly shows how this brain imbalance affects not only Maddy but her family as they all come to terms with Maddy's diagnosis and try and navigate through this. Not only did I learn a lot about bipolar disorder and the side effects from the current medications, I also learned how it's possible for someone to live with this condition with the love and support of family and friends. Fans of Lisa Genova's stories should put this one on their reading list! Jan 2025 Pub Date.

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.