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As 2025 approaches, I’ve decided to implement a new grading system to distinguish exceptional five-star reads from others. Some books are so mind-blowing they deserve a special ten-star rating and a prominent spot in your personal library to revisit time and again. Lisa Genova’s More or Less Maddy is one such book—offering hope that 2025 will be a groundbreaking year for literature. Not only is it one of the best books of the year, but it also deserves a place among the all-time greats.

This novel’s treatment of bipolar disorder is groundbreaking—sensitive, honest, and deeply empathetic. It captures the struggles, emotional shifts, and survival mechanisms with striking authenticity. You’ll find yourself stepping into Maddy’s shoes, feeling her pain and uncertainty, and wondering how you’d cope if faced with a life-altering diagnosis at such a young age, with your whole life ahead of you. Would you deny it and try to carry on as normal, or follow the strict rules imposed by protective parents? What would become of your dreams? Your future?

The story follows 19-year-old NYU student Maddy Banks, who learns of her bipolar diagnosis after being prescribed a stimulant for her depression at the university health center. The stimulant triggers manic episodes, leading to her discovery. The treatment process—complete with new medications that leave her drowsy, dizzy, and emotionally drained—is especially challenging for Maddy, who lives in a family obsessed with appearances. Her mother, in particular, enforces strict rules to prevent a recurrence of Maddy’s earlier manic episode, further complicating her adjustment process.

Maddy’s journey takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a passion for comedy. After being encouraged to share her writings on stage, she begins exploring stand-up comedy—despite her mother’s protests, who views this newfound passion as a symptom of her illness. Her mother equates it to Maddy’s past delusional belief that she could be best friends with Taylor Swift.

Determined to break free from her mother’s control, Maddy defies the rules, sneaks out, and lies about her whereabouts to pursue her dream of becoming a comedian. Her journey is fraught with challenges, including mental struggles and societal expectations. Can she carve out her place in the world, embrace her true self, and live beyond the limitations of her diagnosis?

Overall:
It’s been a long time since a book shook me to my core and took my emotions on such a powerful ride. I wholeheartedly loved Maddy’s journey and deeply admire the author’s creativity and thoughtful approach to mental health awareness. I cannot recommend this book enough—just read it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Scout Press for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this remarkable book in exchange for my honest opinions.