I skipped book club last month because I didn't like the book (at all), but this month was disgestible!

Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:
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, and she goes on an antidepressant. She begins to feel good, dazzling 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 dreams, Maddy will have to figure out how to manage being both too much and not enough.

This is the first book I've read by Lisa Genova and after reading this, I would be prone to picking up Still Alice. Genova handles mental illness with tender hands sans sugarcoat, which I appreciate. While you spiral with Maddy through the novel, you also see the effects that Maddy is having on her inner circle which creates a hostile atmosphere I had physical reactions to multiple times, specifically the scenes when she is in therapy with her mom. There's the right number of manic episodes without it being overdone, and they all felt very real. There is a lot about this book that I like, but also some things that fell flat for me.

The first, and largest, is Maddy's journey into stand-up comedy. I think when you become a comedian, you're naturally funny, and Maddy was not. There was no indicator that this was a dream prior to the first manic episode, and I think stand-up comedy is more than writing a joke and memorizing it. This plot felt very out of place, almost forced, and I couldn't get on board with it.

I didn't love the romance lines or the potential partners that Maddy was exploring. The interactions with both of them didn't seem organic and they were there simply to guide us into an episode. I wanted better for her. Maybe not the John Green-esque meeting during a long stay in the hospital, but better developed friendships and a more supportive circle for Maddy. All of her emotions were so big, and everyone around her was so selfish and mean, and I wanted one kind and guiding light for her. 

I think Emily held that spot for a minute and after some debate in my head, I really liked Emily. Emily is Maddy's sister and their relationship felt true to siblings. She has Maddy's back when talking to their mom but sided with their mom when Maddy showed she wasn't taking care of herself like she should have been. When Emily waivered, it was for Maddy's safety and well-being. She was supportive but not enabling.

I don't know much about Mania, but I thought it was well-represented for what I do know. Someday I will pick up Still Alice. I'll update y'all with what Book Club thinks!