Lisa Genova

Greg Mentzer

Best-known for her stunning debut novel, "Still Alice," Lisa Genova returns to Tucson with "More or Less Maddy" -- featuring a young woman struggling with bipolar disorder. Herself a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard, Genova is known for her empathetic novels about everyday people who encounter major health issues. "Still Alice" explored the onset of dimentia, and was adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin add Kristen Stewart. This will be Genova's fifth visit to our book festival. 

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Awards: In 2015, Lisa was named one of the U.S. Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. She received The Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square, for "distinguished storytelling that has enriched the public dialogue," The Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award, The Global Genes RARE Champions of Hope Award, and The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Media Award for "informing the public about Treatment and ongoing research in medical illness." In 2016, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bates College, The Alzheimer's Association's Rita Hayworth Award, and The Huntington’s Disease Society of America Community Awareness Award. EVERY NOTE PLAYED was voted #10 Best Fiction 2018 Goodreads Choice Award

For Better or Worse

The ups and downs of life--love, addiction, heartbreak, mental health issues--are the stuff of great novels. Authors Jonathan Evison, Lisa Genova, and Willy Vlautin discuss what it takes to write profoundly haunting novels that are heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.

Koffler Room 218 (Seats 142, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 15, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Fiction / Literature
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - UA Campus Store Tent (on Mall) (following presentation)  

Panelists: Jonathan Evison, Lisa Genova, Willy Vlautin
Moderator: Becky Monroe

Read It, Feel It

If you’ve read Lisa Genova or Luis Alberto Urrea, you know your heart was an important part of the experience. Their empathy becomes ours. We don’t just read their words, we feel them, and today we will hear them in a one-hour chat between two of our favorite authors.

Student Union North Ballroom (Seats 560)  
Sun, Mar 16, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Fiction / Literature
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Rincon Room (following presentation)  

Panelists: Lisa Genova, Luis Alberto Urrea
Moderator: Gay Vernon

Books:

More or Less Maddy

A Novel
Fiction / Literature
Gallery/Scout Press
January 2025
ISBN 9781668026168
368 pages