The beginning of this book is just a prelude to a fascinating story of one woman’s lifelong career as a traveler and writer. Though Lisa Niver’s story begins with the end of an abusive marriage, she is able to pick herself up and turn her love of travel and writing into a career. With a background as a teacher and experience working on cruise ships, Lisa opts first for a career as a host on cruise ships, then turns to writing about her trips to Asia which always included diving outings. Though originally terrified of diving, Lisa finds her way to a love of investigating waters, natural phenomena, and sunken treasures.
A quick pace, easy reading, very good start to set out the background to her adventures. Short chapters mean you definitely want to hear more about her adventures and what she chooses to do next. You can see why she was initially attracted to her husband, so the eventual break-up is very sad.
Lisa Niver, author of Brave-ish, is the heroine of her own story and if this weren’t her own story, it would be a wonderful fiction/fantasy novel; but the truth is it’s not imagination. At its core it’s a story of survival and growth after near tragedy.
There are a lot of beautiful descriptions of places visited and the sometimes-odd activities she enthusiastically took part in. There is also an interesting discussion about her sight and how everything suddenly made sense. Basically, you can see why the marriage couldn’t work and it is a relief when she finally gets to lead the life she wants. I love the list of 50 things to do before her 50th birthday!
Niver has the reader ride a wave of up and down emotions included with action and adventure that would rival any of Hollywood’s movies. Surviving a disastrous, abusive marriage that she did not see until it almost caused her demise. Being brave enough to get out from under the abuse, she starts and new life and thrives. But that wasn’t enough for the heroine of the story. She kept challenging herself to grow and overcome, at times, insurmountable obstacles. She accomplished things she never dreamed of and fulfilled items on her wish list. Yet, if there wasn’t enough to her journey of growth and survival, she takes on the challenge of accomplishing 50 Things Before her 50th Birthday in a very short time frame. And the reader is off again on another round of action and adventure as Niver learns new things, explores new places across six continents. Niver wants to be fearless after fifty and tries things that would make a seasoned professional squeamish and any woman over fifty clinging to the safety of her bed covers. Her courageous behavior clearly indicates that is fearless. Niver’s story shows us her portrait of life and her philosophy of life. Brave-ish is a story of survival that speaks to any woman and lets them see what can happen if you let go of your fears, expectations, and perceptions.
It is not just the story of a travel writer, but of the strength and tenacity you need to become one. Very brave!
2024 Gold Nonfiction Book Award by Nonfiction Authors Association2024 Literary Titan Nonfiction Gold Book Award
2023 Zibby Awards Runner-up: Best Book for The Strong Woman
2023 1st place HEARTEN Book Awards winner for Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction
2023 WINNER: Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Book Club: 10 New Books We Can’t Wait to Read this Fall
As seen in Forbes Best New NonFiction
I want to send a special thanks to my awesome literary agent, Chip MacGregor and my phenomenal Post Hill Press editor, Debra Englander! This team has believed in my book from the very beginning. I am very grateful.
There is a struggle within us between constriction and expansion, between despair and vitality. Good humor can be a powerful ally against the constriction that suffering creates.
The 402-page book is organized around 36 life lessons related to the Book of Genesis, with thoughtful study questions and dozens of responses from respected sources in Jewish thought.
Making Israeli films is not easy. Budgets are generally small by American standards, and international financing has become increasingly difficult to secure amid the cultural boycott of Israeli cinema.
For Judith, her family’s experience as refugees from Iran is part of what drives her commitment to speaking out against antisemitism and never staying silent.
Mickey Katzburg, founder of the World Center for Jewish Education, is trying to give Los Angeles Jews another option: an etrog grown in Israel, while at the same time helping support farmers in the country’s Gaza border region.
The report, which can be found on CampusFairness.org, took into consideration five criteria: incident record, institutional response, anti-Israel organizing, Jewish life on campus, and the legal and structural environment.
Among the most high-profile artists to criticize Macklemore’s MetLife Stadium rant was P!NK. Born Alecia Moore, P!NK is a Jewish Grammy-winning pop star who has been increasingly public about her Judaism and antisemitism since Oct. 7.
The collective assault against Israel has been so broad and deep it’s been hard finding anyone in the mainstream media who will dare go after the Hamas murderers whose biggest victims are the Palestinians.
Clinical trial statistics tell us where investigational drugs are tested. They do not tell us who owns the assets, who uses the evidence to obtain regulatory approvals or who captures the economic value when those drugs succeed.
Brave-ish is a GOLD NonFiction Book Awards WINNER!
Lisa Ellen Niver
My memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, is a GOLD NonFiction Book Awards WINNER!
Thank you to the Nonfiction Author’s Association for this incredible honor and these amazing reviews!
BRAVE-ish is a winner: 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award
Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help
Zibby Awards: Best Book for The Strong Woman
My Podcast, Make Your Own Map, won 2nd place for Diversity in TV/Streaming at the NAEJ Awards
My website is #10 on the top 100 Travel Lifestyle Blogs and Websites
I am also the #3 Top Travel Influencer for 2024 for Afluencer as well as #10 of Female Influencers Brands Can’t Get Enough of for 2024!
I want to send a special thanks to my awesome literary agent, Chip MacGregor and my phenomenal Post Hill Press editor, Debra Englander! This team has believed in my book from the very beginning. I am very grateful.
THANK YOU for all of your support.
My AUDIO BOOK of Brave-ish narrated by ME is now available!
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Listen — A poem for Parsha Ha’Azinu
When Celebrities Endorsed a Different “Free Palestine”
A Bisl Yom Kippur~ Plenty of Regrets
A Moment in Time: The Sound of Now
Enigmatic End: the Penultimate Song in the Torah
Print Issue: Renewing American Jewry | September 18, 2026
Expanding the Soul
There is a struggle within us between constriction and expansion, between despair and vitality. Good humor can be a powerful ally against the constriction that suffering creates.
Making Torah More Accessible
The 402-page book is organized around 36 life lessons related to the Book of Genesis, with thoughtful study questions and dozens of responses from respected sources in Jewish thought.
Avi Nesher Fights the Boycott with a Human Story
Making Israeli films is not easy. Budgets are generally small by American standards, and international financing has become increasingly difficult to secure amid the cultural boycott of Israeli cinema.
Combating Antisemitism Through Education in Beverly Hills
For Judith, her family’s experience as refugees from Iran is part of what drives her commitment to speaking out against antisemitism and never staying silent.
From Israel’s Farms to Los Angeles: The Etrog with a Purpose
Mickey Katzburg, founder of the World Center for Jewish Education, is trying to give Los Angeles Jews another option: an etrog grown in Israel, while at the same time helping support farmers in the country’s Gaza border region.
What’s in a Name: Peanut Butter Date Bark
Dates are a perfect way to add natural caramelized sweetness to desserts.
Table for Five: Yom Kippur
Elevating the Physical
ACF Report Reveals the Strongest – and Most Concerning – Campuses for Jewish and Pro-Israel Students
The report, which can be found on CampusFairness.org, took into consideration five criteria: incident record, institutional response, anti-Israel organizing, Jewish life on campus, and the legal and structural environment.
Jason Arday, Donald Trump, and the Post-Truth World
For both MAGA and Arday’s defenders, truth doesn’t matter, lies are accepted as facts, and tribe matters above all.
How Yom Kippur’s Afternoon Prophet Inspires America
When Jonah makes his appearance on the holiest day of the year, he is meant to remind Jews across the globe of the remarkable grace of repentance.
Knowing Our History
In this time of introspection and rising adversity, let us resolve as American Jews to write our new chapter by better understanding our history.
Macklemore Dropped from Ed Sheeran Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks at MetLife Stadium
Among the most high-profile artists to criticize Macklemore’s MetLife Stadium rant was P!NK. Born Alecia Moore, P!NK is a Jewish Grammy-winning pop star who has been increasingly public about her Judaism and antisemitism since Oct. 7.
Noah Wyle, Rob Reiner, and the Jewish Winners at the 78th Emmys
Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for playing Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch on HBO Max’s “The Pitt.”
Rosner’s Domain | Choosing the Next Government
Are you better off than you were four years ago?
My Choice for Essay of the Year
The collective assault against Israel has been so broad and deep it’s been hard finding anyone in the mainstream media who will dare go after the Hamas murderers whose biggest victims are the Palestinians.
More Time to Dream
Israel’s Clinical Trial Illusion: Testing Drugs Is Not the Same as Capturing Economic Value
Clinical trial statistics tell us where investigational drugs are tested. They do not tell us who owns the assets, who uses the evidence to obtain regulatory approvals or who captures the economic value when those drugs succeed.
Iran’s Mandatory Hijab Is its Achilles’ Heel
A government can force a woman to cover her hair. It cannot force loyalty.
Yom Kippuring
We are all trying, in our own imperfect ways, to find an entrance into a better self.
Embracing Paradox
Grappling with the seemingly inexplicable is something to keep in mind as we resolve to improve ourselves in the days ahead.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.