I have been a huge fan of Maria Bamford's comedy for years, so when I saw she wrote a memoir with a hilarious title I knew it would be my jam. The book doesn't disappoint, especially since Maria's signature voice is heard even when reading the book (though I'm sure the audiobook version is incredible). It's not an easy read though, as Maria has dealt with mental health issues her entire life and most of the book is about her coping strategies, including joining various self-help groups and 12 step programs (aka her version of the cults she'd be happy to join).

I especially loved the relationship between her and her also depressive husband, learning how they make it work and how they support each other when things are tough. There isn't too much behind the scenes Hollywood or comedy gossip, but I didn't miss that too much since this is much more about Maria's personal life and they way she mines through all she's been through makes for an incredible read.

This is great if you’re a Maria Bamford fan!

The tone is really similar to Jenny Lawson’s books, so if you like that style this will be right up your alley. I’m a big fan of memoirs by popular celebrities that address mental health or anything that makes us normal people feel less… alone.

I've really enjoyed Maria's standup so I thought I would love this, but it's a bit of an odd book. It really feels like she's talking to you, which can be both a pro and a con, depending on what you like to read! As an entry in the genre of mental health memoirs, I think it's an important and very helpful one.

Book Review: Comedian Maria Bamford details her mental health issues with compassion and humor

BY MAE ANDERSON
Updated 10:12 AM EST, September 5, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — “Sure I’ll Join Your Cult,” by Maria Bamford (Simon & Schuster)

Comedian Maria Bamford has been a comic and actor for more than two decades, her high voice and quirky persona gracing countless stand-up stages and the occasional TV show such as “Arrested Development” and her own “Lady Dynamite.”

Her long journey with mental health serves as the backbone of her comedy and now her memoir, “Sure I’ll join Your Cult.” While Bamford hasn’t joined any bona fide cults, she describes the different groups she’s joined throughout her life — everything from her family to the Suzuki violin method, as well as Overeaters Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous and how they’ve helped — or not helped — her along the way.

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“I love groups,” she writes. “I love social orders that I can push against while still being held by snug boundaries of membership.”

Bamford’s first experience with mental illness came when she was a child in the 1980s, when she began suffering from a form of obsessive compulsive disorder called “intrusive thoughts.” She pictured hurting her loved ones and was paralyzed with fear that she might act on the thoughts, even though she never actually did anything to harm anyone. Meanwhile, she was diagnosed with Bipolar II and OCD and her attempts to find the right medication to address her disorders led to three stays in psychiatric wards.

While none of this may sound funny, Bamford is well versed in joking about her maladies and opens up in the hopes that others might not feel as alone as she was battling her illness. The memoir offers a candid look at Bamford’s decades in self-help and support group services and compassionately urges anyone suffering to reach out and get help — anywhere they can find it.

Sure, I'll Join your Cult is such a heartwarming memoir about Bamford's journey looking for purpose and peace. I admit, I do not normally gravitate towards memoirs or non-fiction, just because they tend not to hold my interest. However, Bamford is a comedian... so I knew I was in for a treat. I would recommend this to book lovers of all types who have asked in life, "what is the true way". I loved it!

Such a fun read for such a heavy topic. Bamford delivers her signature humor about all things mental health, trauma, family dynamics, and the über-trendy cult convo. I highly recommend Sure, I'll Join Your Cult to anyone who's curious about the culty-ness of everyday life.

Maria Bamford is easily one of my favorite comedians. This book was so funny and vulnerable. I am absolutory in awe.

Wow. Wow wow wow. I absolutely loved this book and it’s been a minute since I’ve laughed so hard. I requested this book because I heard her on a podcast and I am so thankful I did. The way Bamford shares her stories is entertaining. She’s so cavalier with her mental health and honestly, she’s shared things that I only thought I had gone through. This book was absolutely delightful!

Look, did I read this in time to provide feedback that would make this an instant New York Times BESTSELLER? No. I did not. I was going through shit, and luckily after reading Maria's book, I don't feel bad about the fact that I just took care of myself and my "mentals". I also don't feel bad that I just finished this book because many of you are probably procrastinators too. If you are, you will enjoy this book. There is no guilt here--not for you! Only Maria!!! I kid, but honestly Bamford's Sure, I'll Join Your Cult was such a relief to read during a particularly hard time for me (NOW). I've seen/loved Lady Dynamite and Arrested Development, so I had an idea what I was getting myself into, which is what the author/comedian/actor/pug fairy wants. I get that. Sometimes you don't want to know the person behind the mask. This is a book for those who can't help but know. WE KNOW and WE MUST TALK ABOUT IT WITH OTHERS OVER BAAAAAD COFFEE!!!
I loved it. Thank you, Maria, and congratulations on the book being an instant New York Times Bestseller. You could've done it without me (you DID).
5/5 stars. no notes.
all thoughts, especially the odd ones, are my own. writing is in the style of the author.
I just reviewed Sure, I'll Join Your Cult by Maria Bamford. #NetGalley

Incredibly honest, moving and funny. Maria walks the reader through each of the self help techniques she has employed with humor & empathy. An entertaining and hilarious description of a harrowing life long mental health struggle.

Sure, I'll Join Your Cult by Maria Bamford is a memoir from a stand-up comedian with mental illness. She describes the different groups that she joined to try to help her, but they all felt like cults to her. She talks of her mental illness with a lot of humor, that I found a little off-putting at times. I did appreciate her last chapter where she gave specific information for anyone who is struggling and need help. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

Maria Bamford is a global treasure and this book is perfect. I rarely use that word for anything but where Maria is concerned, I make an exception. The reader who copes with mental health challenges in any way will benefit from her moving, detailed, and hilarious account of what it takes to live with a brain that just has to work too hard to stay alive. Those of us who have lived that 12 step life can especially relate to her experiences in a variety of those programs for the different behaviors that pop up along the way. I don't think I've ever read a more realistic, affectionate and honest take on these wacky, wonderful recovery rooms (Big ups for the sound effect that plays on the audio every time she breaks her anonymity.)

Her gift for language and sharp commentary on family dynamics, professional life, dogs as gods, you name it -- I could listen and read forever. Brava, Maria!

I really love Maria's comedy but it was really hard to get into this book. I ended up not finishing it. I think the audiobook would be MUCH more fun. She has an amazing voice, and i think I'll definitely grab the audiobook when it's available.

I was introduced to Maria Bamford while watching Comedians of Comedy documentary in 2005. Her style of comedy was so different than anything I had seen up to that point. Her relationship and openness with mental health was very inspiring and I have been a fan since then. Sure, I'll Join Your Cult was such an incredible book. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!

This was a DNF for me. I found it disjointed and not funny at all. I was beyond confused and ended up not finishing it.

I enjoyed this and I'm a fan of Maria Bamford. I'm not much of a memoir reader so it wasn't really my cup of tea (don't tell Maria! - that's a reference to something in the book.) - but I still found it pretty compelling.

If you liked Lady Dynamite, you'll love Sure, I'll Join Your Cult by Maria Bamford. I appreciated Bamford's raw and vulnerable storytelling about her mental illness and her time in various treatment facilities.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this advanced copy.
I will be honest and say I did not know who Maria Bamford was when I requested this book, It looked like a funny and refreshing book on living with mental health issues.
The book reads chaotic at times, but that is living with mental health isn't it? Kind of chaotic at times, kind of funny, kind of sad, and doing anything to get through the day. The chaos was fitting to the topics addressed in the book.
Maria talks about her life with mental health issues, and her attempts to fit into society by joining many groups, and while she may not be good at fitting in, she does her best.

Always funny, sometimes painfully so

I appreciate Maria Bamford for who she is - a person who has dealt with mental illness and is willing to share her experiences in a funny way. She has helped me to understand some of the issues that many people deal with on a daily basis.

I didn't laugh out loud all of the way through this book. Some parts made me quite sad. But it was well worth the read and I think I am a better friend and family member because of it. I am a little pained to think of how much I still enjoy thinking about her Target Christmas ads from years ago. It was my Target shopping experience times 10. Knowing her OCD and other issues makes me feel a little guilty that they still make me smile.

I highly recommend this to anyone dealing with mental illness, those who know someone who is, or those who just want a laugh. That should pretty much include the entire world population.

Have been reading a fair amount of comedian memoirs lately - seems a lot were sold around the same time - and this is one of the better ones. Maria Bamford is not afraid to express her deepest and darkest (intruding) thoughts and the ways that she experiences her life as a child, within her family, navigating the entertainment industry and finding a partner. A very worthwhile read for fans and for anyone else who wants a realistic account of grappling with mental health while trying to make art and get through life.