Maddy Banks is just like any other stressed-out freshman at NYU. Between schoolwork, exams, navigating life in the city, and a recent breakup, it’s normal to be feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t help that she’s always felt like the odd one out in her picture-perfect Connecticut family. But Maddy’s latest low is devastatingly low, convincing her to go on an antidepressant. She begins to feel good, dazzling good in fact, and she soon spirals high into a wild and terrifying mania that culminates in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
As she struggles to find her way in this new reality, navigating the complex effects bipolar has on her identity, her relationships, and her life dream, Maddy will have to figure out how to manage being both too much and not enough.
With her signature “deep empathy and insight” (Booklist), Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author Lisa Genova has crafted an “affecting, harrowing, beautiful, and enlightening” (Shelf Awareness) novel that makes complicated mental health issues accessible and human. More or Less Maddy is destined to become another classic like Still Alice.
Book Info: 367 pages. Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press. Publication Date: 6 Jan 2026
My Thoughts:
I read 2 of Lisa Genova’s previous books in 2013; Still Alice and Left Neglected (before I started reviewing) and thirteen years later still recommend them as both outstanding and basically in a league of their own.
The authors’ in depth research, attention to detail and ability to write about such emotive topics such as Alzheimers or a traumatic brain injury and gift the reader with a knowledge, understanding really is unparalled.
So I was really excited to see that Lisa had written a new book, tackling the often taboo and uncomfortable subject of mental illness and bipolar disorder in More or Less Maddy.
The opening chapter set in Las Vegas is brutal. It’s emotional and disturbing as we meet the protagonist in the midst of a manic episode which unapologetically prepares the reader for a very raw and harrowing story.
The book follows Maddy Banks, a 20 year old freshman at NYU who at first appears to be like any other stressed, overwhelmed young adult, suffering from late nights, partying too hard and being a typical college student. Having been prescribed anti-depressants by her university doctor, her mental health deteriorates rapidly which quickly becomes a diagnosis of bipolar.
Maddy is a character I quickly fell in love with. She is the youngest child of a blended family (absent dad), perfect older sister, rich step-father, prodigal middle son and a mother who seems to care more about appearance than her children’s well being. Having to navigate life was difficult for her before her diagnosis, and now she’s struggling to try to be “normal” and find her place.
There are so many wonderful characters in this book providing the depth and details that make you believe they are actually real. Some of the situations are jaw-droppingly shocking, some are absolutely hysterical and laugh-out-loud and some are so heart-breaking you may need to stop reading for a minute just to gather your emotions.
This is such a stunning story which I was completely obsessed with. I read it within 2 days and at times I didn’t even realise I was crying until my tears hit the kindle screen.
I could go on and on about this book. Yes it’s harrowing – but it’s also hopeful. Yes it’s raw – but it’s also real. Yes it’s uncomfortable – but it’s also uplifting.
This goes STRAIGHT into my TOP TEN books of 2026.
OUTSTANDING.
