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Mixed: My Life in Black and White
“Tell anyone who asks that you’re half-black and half-white, just like David Hasselhoff from Knight Rider.”–Angela’s mother
“Love has no color,” insist Angela Nissel’s parents, but does it have a clue? In this candid, funny, and poignant memoir, Angela recounts growing up biracial in Philadelphia–moving back and forth between black inner-city schools and white prep schools–where her racial ambiguity and doomed attempts to blend in dog her teen years. Once in college, Angela experiments with black activism (hoping to find clarity in extremism), capitalizes on her “exotic” look at a strip club, and ends up with a major case of the blues (aka, a racial identity problem). Yet Angela is never down for the count. After moving to Los Angeles, she discovers that being multiracial is anything but simple, especially in terms of dating and romance.
By turns a comedy of errors and a moving coming-of-age chronicle, Mixed traces one woman’s unforgettable journey to self-acceptance and belonging.
Praise for Mixed
“I love Angela Nissel's writing. Reading Mixed was like getting a letter from a best friend I forgot I had. How ironic that a book written by someone who felt like no one "got" her will surely be one of those rare books everyone gets- black, white, both, neither. Hilarious, sweet, and honest, Mixed is the perfect read if you've ever felt like the one standing on the outside-- and let's face it, who hasn't? - -Jill Soloway, author of Tiny Ladies in Shiny Pants
“Nissel is humorous, poignant, and proud yet also empathetic and generous as she recounts her constant struggle to answer the perennial question persons of mixed race seem required to ask of themselves in our society–where do I fit in?.... All readers stand to learn from her account.” — Booklist
“Colorful anecdotes, marvelous dialogue and a thoughtful narrative make this memoir a delight.”–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"If David Sedaris was a straight biracial female, this is the book he'd write. This book is so funny I've already started telling people I helped Angela write it." -- Bill Lawrence, creator of Scrubs
"Growing up black and white, I always felt I had the best of both worlds. I feel the same way about Mixed. It's the perfect blend of hilarious comedy and sometimes tragic reality." -- Yvette Lee Bowser, creator of Living Single and executive producer of Half and Half
"Mixed is a hilarious must-read for anyone searching for the enchanting path to self-discovery. Angela Nissel's precise account of living the mixed race experience not only hit home with me, but the journey is deliciously enlightening and heart-rending at the same time. It's a journey well worth taking." --Halle Berry
“Love has no color,” insist Angela Nissel’s parents, but does it have a clue? In this candid, funny, and poignant memoir, Angela recounts growing up biracial in Philadelphia–moving back and forth between black inner-city schools and white prep schools–where her racial ambiguity and doomed attempts to blend in dog her teen years. Once in college, Angela experiments with black activism (hoping to find clarity in extremism), capitalizes on her “exotic” look at a strip club, and ends up with a major case of the blues (aka, a racial identity problem). Yet Angela is never down for the count. After moving to Los Angeles, she discovers that being multiracial is anything but simple, especially in terms of dating and romance.
By turns a comedy of errors and a moving coming-of-age chronicle, Mixed traces one woman’s unforgettable journey to self-acceptance and belonging.
Praise for Mixed
“I love Angela Nissel's writing. Reading Mixed was like getting a letter from a best friend I forgot I had. How ironic that a book written by someone who felt like no one "got" her will surely be one of those rare books everyone gets- black, white, both, neither. Hilarious, sweet, and honest, Mixed is the perfect read if you've ever felt like the one standing on the outside-- and let's face it, who hasn't? - -Jill Soloway, author of Tiny Ladies in Shiny Pants
“Nissel is humorous, poignant, and proud yet also empathetic and generous as she recounts her constant struggle to answer the perennial question persons of mixed race seem required to ask of themselves in our society–where do I fit in?.... All readers stand to learn from her account.” — Booklist
“Colorful anecdotes, marvelous dialogue and a thoughtful narrative make this memoir a delight.”–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"If David Sedaris was a straight biracial female, this is the book he'd write. This book is so funny I've already started telling people I helped Angela write it." -- Bill Lawrence, creator of Scrubs
"Growing up black and white, I always felt I had the best of both worlds. I feel the same way about Mixed. It's the perfect blend of hilarious comedy and sometimes tragic reality." -- Yvette Lee Bowser, creator of Living Single and executive producer of Half and Half
"Mixed is a hilarious must-read for anyone searching for the enchanting path to self-discovery. Angela Nissel's precise account of living the mixed race experience not only hit home with me, but the journey is deliciously enlightening and heart-rending at the same time. It's a journey well worth taking." --Halle Berry
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2006
8 people are currently reading
633 people want to read
About the author
Angela Nissel
3 books29 followersAngela Nissel is author of the national best-selling comedic memoirs The Broke Diaries and Mixed. In addition to books, she is a co-executive producer and writer for NBC's medical sitcom Scrubs and executive producer of an in-development television project with Halle Berry and Vincent Cirricionne.
Angela was born a lower-middle class light-brown child in Philadelphia. She even stayed in that fair city for college, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology. That degree led to a stellar career as a temp for the IRS, a "melter" in a metalworking shop, and as a "sleep apnea auditor" working the 12AM to 8AM shift at a local hospital.
She later started a dotcom, OkayPlayer.com, which is still alive and well, but she left it permanently to the care of its co-founder after The Broke Diaries was published. She decided to pursue writing full-time and finally ventured out of Philadelphia to Hollywood.
Upon arriving in Hollywood, she learned that just because someone's vanity plates read "PRDCR", doesn't mean he has the connections to make your book into a screenplay or even help you get a writing job.
Barely paying her rent through freelancing, she put a few possessions on Ebay for extra cash—the winning bidder of one item was a television executive who had read The Broke Diaries. She introduced Nissel to a television literary agent. This agent sent copies of The Broke Diaries to everyone hiring comedy writers and soon, Nissel had numerous job offers. She accepted a position as a staff writer on "Scrubs." She's been there for seven seasons and is currently one of the co-executive producers of the show.
This is the only job she's had where her medical anthropology degree comes in handy.
Angela was born a lower-middle class light-brown child in Philadelphia. She even stayed in that fair city for college, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology. That degree led to a stellar career as a temp for the IRS, a "melter" in a metalworking shop, and as a "sleep apnea auditor" working the 12AM to 8AM shift at a local hospital.
She later started a dotcom, OkayPlayer.com, which is still alive and well, but she left it permanently to the care of its co-founder after The Broke Diaries was published. She decided to pursue writing full-time and finally ventured out of Philadelphia to Hollywood.
Upon arriving in Hollywood, she learned that just because someone's vanity plates read "PRDCR", doesn't mean he has the connections to make your book into a screenplay or even help you get a writing job.
Barely paying her rent through freelancing, she put a few possessions on Ebay for extra cash—the winning bidder of one item was a television executive who had read The Broke Diaries. She introduced Nissel to a television literary agent. This agent sent copies of The Broke Diaries to everyone hiring comedy writers and soon, Nissel had numerous job offers. She accepted a position as a staff writer on "Scrubs." She's been there for seven seasons and is currently one of the co-executive producers of the show.
This is the only job she's had where her medical anthropology degree comes in handy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 7, 2011
This started out really lighthearted and fun with the author detailing her & her family's many misadventures preadolescence. I admittedly had a few gigglefits here and there. Suddenly, the tone shifted and I found myself reading an entirely different book.
I applaud the author for sharing her experience with depression as well as her struggles with her identity but sometimes I felt like she needed to just live and not care what anyone thought about her racial identity. Then again, people are different, perceive & process life differently so who am I to offer an opinion?
I applaud the author for sharing her experience with depression as well as her struggles with her identity but sometimes I felt like she needed to just live and not care what anyone thought about her racial identity. Then again, people are different, perceive & process life differently so who am I to offer an opinion?
April 5, 2013
This is one of those books that makes me wonder where it's been all my life, and why I couldn't read it 20 years ago. It was recommended to me by a white friend a few years ago because she thought I'd relate to it. Also she said it was hilarious. I regret not picking it up sooner.
My experience as a mixed girl was completely opposite of Angela's, but I still identified with a lot of her emotions. I still went through trying desperately to fit in somewhere, and even cashed in on my "exotic" look as a stripper like she did.
The only downside to this book was that it started out very funny, then changed completely to a much sadder story. I felt triggered by it & had a hard time getting through that part. But then it became comical again, and I laughed out loud quite a few times while reading it in bed with my husband. It was very well written & honest. I could not put it down. It's so good I wish I would've written it myself, but as I said my experiences were very different from hers.. So I guess I have my own book to write. Still I am so glad I finally took my friend's advice & read this.
My experience as a mixed girl was completely opposite of Angela's, but I still identified with a lot of her emotions. I still went through trying desperately to fit in somewhere, and even cashed in on my "exotic" look as a stripper like she did.
The only downside to this book was that it started out very funny, then changed completely to a much sadder story. I felt triggered by it & had a hard time getting through that part. But then it became comical again, and I laughed out loud quite a few times while reading it in bed with my husband. It was very well written & honest. I could not put it down. It's so good I wish I would've written it myself, but as I said my experiences were very different from hers.. So I guess I have my own book to write. Still I am so glad I finally took my friend's advice & read this.
July 12, 2008
I read Angela Nissel's Broke Diaries several years ago, and I thought she had a knack for writing. She keeps it real, is willing to think out of the box and take chances in life meanwhile maintaining her wittiness and sense of humor. I had no idea she was mixed when I read her first book, but I came across this book at the bookstore earlier this year and picked up the book immediately because I thought the woman on the cover looked exactly like a younger cousin of mine. Mrs. Nissel did not disappoint with her sophomore novel. I enjoyed reading about a homegrown Philly girl like myself, as we have some shared experiences (and language that brought me back to my eight year old self -- "bunk you") as children growing up in the 80's in Philadelphia. Well-written and well worth the read!
June 23, 2010
I've been meaning to read this book for a while for exactly two reasons:
First, because the author, Angela Nissel, wrote for and co-produced "Scrubs."
And second, because Halle Berry recommended it. Granted, I don't usually agree with Halle Berry when it comes to movies or romantic partners; but from now on, I'm gonna have to listen her literary advice because this memoir is wonderful! It's funny, smart, poignant, insightful, complex -- just great writing overall. I'm not black, white, or black and white, but there were so many things I could relate to or recognized. In short, I'm a fan, and Nissel needs to write/co-produce more stuff.
First, because the author, Angela Nissel, wrote for and co-produced "Scrubs."
And second, because Halle Berry recommended it. Granted, I don't usually agree with Halle Berry when it comes to movies or romantic partners; but from now on, I'm gonna have to listen her literary advice because this memoir is wonderful! It's funny, smart, poignant, insightful, complex -- just great writing overall. I'm not black, white, or black and white, but there were so many things I could relate to or recognized. In short, I'm a fan, and Nissel needs to write/co-produce more stuff.
February 13, 2009
I've read Angela Nissel's The Broke Diaries which is hilarious story after hilarious story of how to get by without much money. (perfect for college students, or anyone in this economy!) While this book is pretty funny as well, it gets serious about race and the impact that being bi-racial has on a person's self-identity. It was interesting to read this in the context of our new President being bi-racial. I learned at the end of the book that the author is a writer on Scrubs. That explained a ton! I could see glimpses of J.D. and Turk on Scrubs from some of the stories.
November 28, 2007
Hilarious and provocative. I like to think of myself as being pretty racially sensitive but this book really made me think of some racial issues I hadn't considered before. I love Angela Nissel.
It's interesting how a lot of the anecdotes in this book were around the same time period as her other memoir, Broke. And yet this book tells a whole other story. Kind of makes you re-think the memoir genre. Hello, James Frey.
It's interesting how a lot of the anecdotes in this book were around the same time period as her other memoir, Broke. And yet this book tells a whole other story. Kind of makes you re-think the memoir genre. Hello, James Frey.
July 31, 2019
I didn’t want to put this down. I didn’t want it to end.
Nissel speaks very clearly and directly to the constant and unshakable confusion; the shifting and uncertain sense of racial identity that comes with being mixed race; as well as the inability of either parent (but especially not the white one) to prepare you for something they haven’t themselves experienced and don’t fully understand. I’ve never seen it in print before and every time I picked it back up I felt a little less crazy, a little less lost trying to navigate biracial life in America.
It’s also really, really funny.
Nissel speaks very clearly and directly to the constant and unshakable confusion; the shifting and uncertain sense of racial identity that comes with being mixed race; as well as the inability of either parent (but especially not the white one) to prepare you for something they haven’t themselves experienced and don’t fully understand. I’ve never seen it in print before and every time I picked it back up I felt a little less crazy, a little less lost trying to navigate biracial life in America.
It’s also really, really funny.
December 24, 2008
As a biracial woman, growing up different was a struggle even in So. Florida. Angela Nissel's book was wonderful! It helped me realize that I'm not alone. I know that sounds corny, but really I was able to relate to the entire first half of her book. Her college years were much crazier than mine, but her childhood was like looking in a mirror. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
November 4, 2010
Despite the fact that a blurb on the cover suggests the author is a female version of David Sedaris, Mixed isn’t really a humorous book. While there are a few chuckles, I found many of the chapters more sad than anything else, as the author struggles with prejudice and finding her own identity.
February 11, 2011
Very funny,light hearted read on Angela's identity issues.I love how she comically tells the tale of the issues she endured while also informing us about the issues mixed race people endure.While the focus of the book is on Angela it also microscopically zoom on what the parents go through.A poignant tale and definitely worth the read
January 24, 2011
I have been looking for this book since I read Broke Diaries and I was thrilled to finally get my hands on it. This book wasn't as funny as Broke Diaries, but it was honest and lent a lot of insight on what it is like to have mixed racial heritage in American culture. Yeah! Angela, can't wait until you publish your next book.
February 2, 2008
this book is really, really amazing. the author uses humor to talk about the toll of being biracial in a society that can't deal with those of us who live in the borderlands. it's deep book and i highly recommend it.
July 11, 2013
Definitely food for thought, but not really full enough to help me come to a conclusion...about how to support multiracial children and friends, how to raise my multiracial son. Her childhood was covered well, but it seemed to become fractured in her college years, losing the narrative.
January 10, 2009
Angela Nissel has a great voice.
March 3, 2024
What an interesting memoir. NISSEL’s “Mixed” was in my opinion, an honest look into what life is like growing up biracial (black and white.)
Throughout the entirety of this book Nissel talks about her obsession with race and trying to understand where she fits within the racial categories America has established - even if those categories aren’t even remotely accurate to her ancestry. She also discusses times when she tries to deny a part of her racial identity and only accepts half. I applaud Nissel for “going there” with everything she recounts even her time in a mental hospital due to racial identity turmoil.
However, there at the end, I was kind of concerned, that she is STILL obsessing over her race and physical appearance. At one point do you accept and love yourself for who you are and damn others' thoughts?
I say that having experienced just about everything Nissel has granted it was the ‘90s - ‘00s not the ‘80s but still. I’m not sure I could function if I was still struggling/attempting to find my place within racial groups. The answer is simply you don’t because we more than likely will never live in a post-racial America. All we can do is be our unique selfs God made us to be.
“I'd love to tell my children that race doesn't matter, or even that the race thing gets easier when you get older, but I don't want to lie to them. Unless the United States becomes remarkably different in twenty or so years, race still will matter and not to prepare them for that smacks of irresponsible parenting to me.”
Also side note - there were a lot of attempts at humor in here but it all felt very dated which makes sense (book written in ‘06) but just didn’t strike me at all as funny. 🤷🏽♂️
Throughout the entirety of this book Nissel talks about her obsession with race and trying to understand where she fits within the racial categories America has established - even if those categories aren’t even remotely accurate to her ancestry. She also discusses times when she tries to deny a part of her racial identity and only accepts half. I applaud Nissel for “going there” with everything she recounts even her time in a mental hospital due to racial identity turmoil.
However, there at the end, I was kind of concerned, that she is STILL obsessing over her race and physical appearance. At one point do you accept and love yourself for who you are and damn others' thoughts?
I say that having experienced just about everything Nissel has granted it was the ‘90s - ‘00s not the ‘80s but still. I’m not sure I could function if I was still struggling/attempting to find my place within racial groups. The answer is simply you don’t because we more than likely will never live in a post-racial America. All we can do is be our unique selfs God made us to be.
“I'd love to tell my children that race doesn't matter, or even that the race thing gets easier when you get older, but I don't want to lie to them. Unless the United States becomes remarkably different in twenty or so years, race still will matter and not to prepare them for that smacks of irresponsible parenting to me.”
Also side note - there were a lot of attempts at humor in here but it all felt very dated which makes sense (book written in ‘06) but just didn’t strike me at all as funny. 🤷🏽♂️
November 15, 2017
Angela Nissel speaks about her life in a way that's funny and profound. I got this book to skim and scan for a school project along with 5 other books. This book was good, cover to cover though...the other 5 I only skimmed/scanned. I couldn't put this memoir down. The writing style is like a conversation between friends. I recommend this book as an interesting life-story, but also if you're a psychology student trying to get a glimpse into multicultural life of others. :)
June 9, 2018
There are some books that manage to wrap you into the narrative very quickly and the next thing you know, you feel like your best friends with the author and you guys are having a private chat about life while drinking wine. This is exactly that kind of book. Nissel dives into the story of her life so freely and honestly that you are almost taken back. The way she easily tackles the nuances of her life, her identity and the balancing act she was part of early in life makes you reflect on your upbringing and how easily you can relate to some of the statements being made. (My personal favorites were the sayings shared at the salon, where I now know the same conversations take place no matter which coast you live on.) Every coming of age story is unique but so many of the experiences are similar because of the common thread of race and how it’s depicted and how we are treated based on the color of our skin.
What Nissel does with this memoir is tackle the preconceived notions she had to deal with growing up bi-racial, having a Black mother and a white father. The lightness of her skin and the texture of her hair had her straddling two separate worlds: one filled with blackness, the other whiteness. Where does she belong when white people see her as Black and Black people see her as white? Who hates her because of the blood that runs through her body and the parents she didn’t choose? It’s very interesting to see her grappling with these different and layered issues because it says so much about society that we continue to judge people based off decisions they didn’t make and had no control over, including their race and heritage.
I’m recommending this book. Memoirs like this, that honestly depict and discuss personal experiences revolving around race, will forever be necessary but this one was really fun to read. I laughed, I sighed, I reflected on life, my own personal experiences and the experiences of those around me. This is well written, thought provoking as well as entertaining. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.
What Nissel does with this memoir is tackle the preconceived notions she had to deal with growing up bi-racial, having a Black mother and a white father. The lightness of her skin and the texture of her hair had her straddling two separate worlds: one filled with blackness, the other whiteness. Where does she belong when white people see her as Black and Black people see her as white? Who hates her because of the blood that runs through her body and the parents she didn’t choose? It’s very interesting to see her grappling with these different and layered issues because it says so much about society that we continue to judge people based off decisions they didn’t make and had no control over, including their race and heritage.
I’m recommending this book. Memoirs like this, that honestly depict and discuss personal experiences revolving around race, will forever be necessary but this one was really fun to read. I laughed, I sighed, I reflected on life, my own personal experiences and the experiences of those around me. This is well written, thought provoking as well as entertaining. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.
December 6, 2008
The front of this book tells us that Halle Berry called it "A hilarious must read." Well, I probably shouldn't argue with Ms. Berry (I mean, an actress knows good writing when she reads it, right?) but I would not call this book the least bit "hilarious." I would say "mildly amusing." I would admit that it did make me chuckle now and then, and I maybe laughed aloud once or twice. But I cannot agree with the adjective "hilarious."
I saw this book on the public library's diversity display as I was walking around pulling books. I am into memoirs these days, so this book by a woman whose mother is black and whose father is white caught my eye. Upon looking more closely, I saw that the author also wrote The Broke Diaries which I didn't like much but couldn't put down about ten years ago. So I decided to borrow it and read it.
It wasn't a bad book, but as I've already said, it wasn't really funny. I don't think all memoirs need to be funny, but when Halle Berry proclaims "hilarious" on the front cover, the writing should be funny. Although I guess having Halle Berry proclaim "mildly amusing" probably would not encourage sales.
Honestly, I just don't think Angela Nissel is a great writer, at least when it comes to writing about her life. How nice for her that she's written for the TV show Scrubs (which I thought started out funny, but got progressively less funny as I got deeper into season 1; I gave up after the first season). I'm glad she's making it.
I'm just disappointed that she took the really interesting subject matter of her life and made me barely care. For a much more compelling account of growing up biracial, I suggest The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
by James McBride.
This review is my 1400th for GoodReads.
I saw this book on the public library's diversity display as I was walking around pulling books. I am into memoirs these days, so this book by a woman whose mother is black and whose father is white caught my eye. Upon looking more closely, I saw that the author also wrote The Broke Diaries which I didn't like much but couldn't put down about ten years ago. So I decided to borrow it and read it.
It wasn't a bad book, but as I've already said, it wasn't really funny. I don't think all memoirs need to be funny, but when Halle Berry proclaims "hilarious" on the front cover, the writing should be funny. Although I guess having Halle Berry proclaim "mildly amusing" probably would not encourage sales.
Honestly, I just don't think Angela Nissel is a great writer, at least when it comes to writing about her life. How nice for her that she's written for the TV show Scrubs (which I thought started out funny, but got progressively less funny as I got deeper into season 1; I gave up after the first season). I'm glad she's making it.
I'm just disappointed that she took the really interesting subject matter of her life and made me barely care. For a much more compelling account of growing up biracial, I suggest The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
by James McBride.
This review is my 1400th for GoodReads.
January 20, 2009
Adult/High School–As a light-skinned child born to a black mother and a white father, Nissel has constantly grappled with the question of racial identity. Growing up in West Philadelphia during the 1970s and '80s, she came of age trying to figure out who she was and where she fit. She encountered bullies and interesting friends and teachers, and experienced the turmoil of race-conscious dating. She had a bout of depression while in college, and took on a variety of odd jobs, including one night as an exotic dancer. Through all of this she struggled to maintain her own sense of self in spite of societal views. Nissel is insightful, funny, and a person with whom many readers will identify.–Shannon Seglin, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax Coun
March 26, 2017
An interesting look at the identity problems of an interracial woman growing up in Philadelphia, including living in black neighborhoods and white neighborhoods; going to white schools and going to black schools. For this author, these issues seem to have resolved themselves as she is a successful author, married to a great guy. I am hoping that her humor has been her saving grace, because her earlier issues were sad and heartbreaking.
June 12, 2017
Mixed: My Life in Black and White by Angela Nissel was a fantastic inspirational book. It was so well written, it was as if you were living her life. She has a great style of writing to fit the different scenes. I loved this book and rate it five stars because it really speaks to me. I could relate so well to being an African-American woman and going through the social, and emotional differences she went through. Since Angela experienced being an outcast, she shows and tells how she got through it which could help others that are going through what she is. I strongly recommend this book to everyone because it teaches you great life lessons!
October 14, 2016
Every American should read this book. Angie's memoir on growing up in the USA half black and half white gives a perspective you wouldn't have on your own. Unless you are half back/half white- in that case I think you'll still like this book. Angie is hilarious. My son was battling leukemia and I just needed something to make me laugh. Her last book had me laughing so hard, so I sought her out. She did not disappoint. This s book is much more serious, and I appreciate what she taught me. I really enjoy her personality.
October 13, 2013
A lot of people who write memoirs, don't give the whole truth, or try to sugarcoat it. But life isn't a walk in the park and Angela Nissel says it, loud and clear.
I like that she shows her insecurities, says her opinions, oblivious to others comments about hers, and stands up for herself (or not). You can really feel what her life experience was like, and the (sometimes?) racist parts of it.
I LOVED IT!
I like that she shows her insecurities, says her opinions, oblivious to others comments about hers, and stands up for herself (or not). You can really feel what her life experience was like, and the (sometimes?) racist parts of it.
I LOVED IT!
November 24, 2015
I really did like this book, just in a different way than the Broke Diaries. The Broke Diaries was meant to be funny, but Mixed wasn't. Some parts were though. In Mixed, she explains what it felt to grow up biracial, and even though I'm not biracial, I understand what she meant. Though some of the things she did to "find her racial identity" were completely outrageous, I know some people who would've done the same exact thing, and they're darker than I am, and I'm dark-skinned.
May 30, 2017
5 Stars
This memoir receives a 5 stars, instead of 4, simply because it is a baring of soul like no other. She holds back nothing, revealing the depth of her weakness and cowardice growing up in such a way you're almost disgusted. But, each personal account deserves an ear. Nissel shares her biracial perspective with such humor and honesty, that it can only be applauded. 5 stars to Nissel.
This memoir receives a 5 stars, instead of 4, simply because it is a baring of soul like no other. She holds back nothing, revealing the depth of her weakness and cowardice growing up in such a way you're almost disgusted. But, each personal account deserves an ear. Nissel shares her biracial perspective with such humor and honesty, that it can only be applauded. 5 stars to Nissel.
January 16, 2020
I read this semi-autobiography about 15 years ago and kind of thought I already included it here. I loved the author's previous book, The broke diaries and because I was going through a difficult time back then, this book resonated with me because Nissel was inpatient in a psychiatric hospital and talks about it indepth. So when I was in the hospital I thought about this book a lot and actually emailed the author through her website about that and she responded! Pretty cool!
September 22, 2007
It's funny--I recommend it.
A review on the book jacket describes this book as being a narrative about growing up mixed that David Sedaris might have written, if he were a biracial, straight female. It's a quick, fun read.
Angela Nissel was a writer for the show Scrubs, where she is now a producer.
Check her out on her myspace page or at www.angelanissel.com.
A review on the book jacket describes this book as being a narrative about growing up mixed that David Sedaris might have written, if he were a biracial, straight female. It's a quick, fun read.
Angela Nissel was a writer for the show Scrubs, where she is now a producer.
Check her out on her myspace page or at www.angelanissel.com.
August 6, 2008
Angela Nissen gives us a humorous, never self-pitying look at the often rude reactions of people of all races toward herself as biracial child and teen. Young Angela bounces from one culture to another, usually depending on other people's attitudes but occasionally based on her own perceptions and desires.
November 20, 2012
Started reading this book while cataloging & couldn't put it down. I felt as if I were reading the story of a sister-friend; her feelings, thoughts, questions became my own. Though I may not be able to pinpoint my diverse heritage as easily as Nissel, I do understand trying to figure out where you belong when it seems like there's always something that prevents total acceptance into a group.
March 27, 2008
I expected more from this book. Having been a writer from Scrubs, I thought it would contain more humor, but perhaps I just couldn't identify. I might want to read her previous book "The Broke Diaries" and if I don't like that, it must be her style of writing that I just don't click with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews