THANK YOU to Midwest Book Review for this superb review of my memoir, BRAVE-ish! I hope you enjoy my book too. It is available in print, digital as well as an audiobook where I am the narrator.
“Inspired and inspiring, articulate and descriptive, “Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty” by Lisa Niver is a deftly crafted and inherently fascinating read that is part travelogue, part memoir, and part self-help.” Midwest Book Review
“Lisa Niver’s Brave-ish is a page-turner and inspiration for anyone who finds themselves at rock bottom in mid-life. Through both grand adventures and small, life-savoring gestures, Niver pieces herself back together after heartbreak and hardship. Readers will have the great pleasure of traveling the world through Niver’s stories and will be cheering her on. Don’t miss this book full of heart, adventure, and, of course, courage!” — Christie Tate, A New York Times Best Selling author of Group and BFF, a Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick
“Niver is a master at being humble, an everywoman with fears and challenges, while taking her readers around the world in quite a powerful and magical way. Her drive and persistence is not only inspiring, but an honest glimpse into what it means to be human: to learn, take joy, and find the people, places, and purpose she needs to grow.With her signature zest, wonder, and grace, Niver takes us on her journey of self-discovery, inspiration, and perseverance. Brave-ish is so much more than a memoir…it is a guide to growing with both humility and curiosity, and shows us the power of inner strength, friendship, community, and drive. This is a beautiful memoir about finding self, about slowly moving past trauma, and about the immense influence that travel has to heal and inspire. This book? Pure magic.” — Dr. Jessie Voigts, WanderingEducators.com
“Brave-ish is an invitation to confront the unfamiliar, to discover resilience in openness. Lisa Niver’s memoir is not only a revealing journey into her own experiences but also a reflective look at the adventurous spirit that resides within us all. It appeals to anyone drawn to the unknown and serves as a poignant reminder that often, the most significant adventures are those that take place within ourselves.” —Literary Titan
“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… 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.” — Nonfiction Book Awards
“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.” — Nonfiction Book Awards
“A memoir that is an inspirational travelogue guaranteed to get the most timid individual net surfing exotic locales, Brave-ish is a unique journey of discovery and independence. There are moments that will have the reader ready to come to the author’s rescue, and there are times when they will cheer her next little victory. This memoir is a guidebook for people who feel they “can’t do” or “don’t have the guts” and need to see that you don’t have to get it all right at once….baby steps!” — Benjamin Franklin Awards 2024
“Niver’s global travel exploits had me simultaneously chewing my fingernails and cheering her on as she challenged herself to greater and riskier feats in search of self. Compelling and engrossing. A must-read for fans of Wild and Eat, Pray, Love!” — Alka Joshi, International Best Selling author of The Perfumist of Paris, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Henna Artist, a Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick
In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the L.A. Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.
In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.
The site is now home to Milken’s Upper School, serving students in grades 9 through 12, and expands the school’s footprint across its three campuses to 28 acres.
A well-designed Israel experience cannot resolve every question. But it can give young people context, relationships, language, and a sense that they belong to a people and a story larger than themselves.
Some have accused me of anti-Muslim bias. Let me answer that plainly: I have none. My issues with El-Sayed would be the same whether he were Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Baha’i.
I write to you, all you first and second generations, and I assure you from generations five, six and seven that if we keep doing what we need to do, if we stand together, keep our traditions, educate ourselves in our ancient wisdom, keep Hebrew spoken and sung in our midst, we will not only endure. We Jews will thrive.
Kwall, the Raymond P. Niro Law Professor at DePaul University College of Law, argues for a center defined by enough common commitments to make communal life possible.
If we want our younger generations to love our faith, our culture, and our peoplehood, we need to be welcoming when they show interest and have a spark of curiosity.
It turns out that claim about Israel being a democracy wasn’t just propaganda. The two million Arabs who live in the world’s only Jewish state really do have the power to vote.
Brave-ish Midwest Book Review and MORE reviews
Lisa Ellen Niver
THANK YOU to Midwest Book Review for this superb review of my memoir, BRAVE-ish! I hope you enjoy my book too. It is available in print, digital as well as an audiobook where I am the narrator.
“Inspired and inspiring, articulate and descriptive, “Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty” by Lisa Niver is a deftly crafted and inherently fascinating read that is part travelogue, part memoir, and part self-help.” Midwest Book Review
“Lisa Niver’s Brave-ish is a page-turner and inspiration for anyone who finds themselves at rock bottom in mid-life. Through both grand adventures and small, life-savoring gestures, Niver pieces herself back together after heartbreak and hardship. Readers will have the great pleasure of traveling the world through Niver’s stories and will be cheering her on. Don’t miss this book full of heart, adventure, and, of course, courage!” — Christie Tate, A New York Times Best Selling author of Group and BFF, a Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick
“Niver is a master at being humble, an everywoman with fears and challenges, while taking her readers around the world in quite a powerful and magical way. Her drive and persistence is not only inspiring, but an honest glimpse into what it means to be human: to learn, take joy, and find the people, places, and purpose she needs to grow.With her signature zest, wonder, and grace, Niver takes us on her journey of self-discovery, inspiration, and perseverance. Brave-ish is so much more than a memoir…it is a guide to growing with both humility and curiosity, and shows us the power of inner strength, friendship, community, and drive. This is a beautiful memoir about finding self, about slowly moving past trauma, and about the immense influence that travel has to heal and inspire. This book? Pure magic.” — Dr. Jessie Voigts, WanderingEducators.com
“Brave-ish is an invitation to confront the unfamiliar, to discover resilience in openness. Lisa Niver’s memoir is not only a revealing journey into her own experiences but also a reflective look at the adventurous spirit that resides within us all. It appeals to anyone drawn to the unknown and serves as a poignant reminder that often, the most significant adventures are those that take place within ourselves.” — Literary Titan
“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… 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.” — Nonfiction Book Awards
“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.” — Nonfiction Book Awards
“A memoir that is an inspirational travelogue guaranteed to get the most timid individual net surfing exotic locales, Brave-ish is a unique journey of discovery and independence. There are moments that will have the reader ready to come to the author’s rescue, and there are times when they will cheer her next little victory. This memoir is a guidebook for people who feel they “can’t do” or “don’t have the guts” and need to see that you don’t have to get it all right at once….baby steps!” — Benjamin Franklin Awards 2024
“Niver’s global travel exploits had me simultaneously chewing my fingernails and cheering her on as she challenged herself to greater and riskier feats in search of self. Compelling and engrossing. A must-read for fans of Wild and Eat, Pray, Love!” — Alka Joshi, International Best Selling author of The Perfumist of Paris, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Henna Artist, a Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick
MORE REVIEWS at https://lisaniver.com/brave-ish-reviews/
GET YOUR COPY
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
Table for Five: Vayera
Route 66 Turns 100: Fall in Chicago, the Mother Road and the Great American Road Trip
Israel Bonds Ceremony, CCFP’s ‘Ambassadors of Peace,’ ‘Letters, Light and Love’
“Art Over Hate”
Everyone by Name – A poem for Parsha Vayera
Hagar’s Oppression is the Source of the Hegira
Print Issue: A Jewish Victory | October 30, 2026
In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the L.A. Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.
A Bisl Torah ~ Are You Paying Attention?
Why are we less likely to notice those who are most important?
A Moment in Time: The Israeli Election – Counting Votes, Building Bridges
Rabbis of LA | Rabbi Rembaum on Life Without Fredi
First of two parts
‘You Can See Everything’: Holmes on the Range
In 2026, you don’t expect an American movie – even a documentary – to include an almost Talmudic discussion focusing on the meaning of the word “can.”
Ruby Red Beet Kubbah
If you can’t get to Jerusalem, make a pot of this incredible red kubbah.
A Jewish Victory
In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.
Trusting G-d’s Plan ft. Elaine Chaya
Zion Ozeri’s Photographs Reveal the Many Faces of Jewish Identity
His photographs portray Jews shaped by different cultures, histories and traditions while revealing the connections that unite them.
Milken School Opens Jan Koum Campus in Bel Air
The site is now home to Milken’s Upper School, serving students in grades 9 through 12, and expands the school’s footprint across its three campuses to 28 acres.
For Teens, Israel Travel Is Not the End Goal. Jewish Peoplehood Is.
A well-designed Israel experience cannot resolve every question. But it can give young people context, relationships, language, and a sense that they belong to a people and a story larger than themselves.
El-Sayed, Mélenchon, and the Future They Portend
Some have accused me of anti-Muslim bias. Let me answer that plainly: I have none. My issues with El-Sayed would be the same whether he were Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Baha’i.
Unbreakable Blue Thread: Reclaiming Our Past and Our Future
I write to you, all you first and second generations, and I assure you from generations five, six and seven that if we keep doing what we need to do, if we stand together, keep our traditions, educate ourselves in our ancient wisdom, keep Hebrew spoken and sung in our midst, we will not only endure. We Jews will thrive.
Unstuck in the Middle with You
Kwall, the Raymond P. Niro Law Professor at DePaul University College of Law, argues for a center defined by enough common commitments to make communal life possible.
Sewage Without Borders
Israel’s water security depends on what flows into the sea on the other side of all of them, and our water policy should start from that reality.
Torah Portion: Vayera
The parsha ends with the binding of Isaac, the Akeida, probably the darkest chapter in the entire Torah.
Gene Lichtenstein, August 15, 1930-October 18, 2026
Mr. Lichtenstein edited the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles from 1986 until 2000.
Let Them Talk
If we want our younger generations to love our faith, our culture, and our peoplehood, we need to be welcoming when they show interest and have a spark of curiosity.
A Wild and Improbable Story Hits Israel
It turns out that claim about Israel being a democracy wasn’t just propaganda. The two million Arabs who live in the world’s only Jewish state really do have the power to vote.
Why I Came to Vote in Israel
My journey to the ballot box was circuitous. The path I hope Israel will follow is derech Adonai: the way of righteousness and justice.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.