Brave(ish)

2020 Sarton Awards Gilda Finalist“In Brave(ish), author Margaret Davis Ghielmetti travels theglobe, describing the Technicolor riches of places and people withhumor, generosity, and candor. As she discovers the world’s splendors,however, from incandescent rice paddies to moonlit deserts, she alsolearns to navigate another landscape: the fiercely beautiful, sometimesrocky terrain of her own heart.”—Janice Deal, award-winning author of The Decline of Pigeons “Written in lyrical prose peppered with insight and wisdom hard-won through travel and personal struggle, Brave(ish)is Margaret’s continuation of her storytelling and one-woman shows thatleft audiences wanting more. In this uplifting, witty, and sometimesdark memoir, Margaret discovers her truths and her story, onedestination at a time.”—Jen Cullerton Johnson, award-winning author of Seeds of Change“Brave(ish) should be required reading for all perfectionists whoare sick of people pleasing and ready to reclaim their own lives.You’ll love traveling around the world with Margaret, and you’ll rootfor her as she embraces her true self. By owning her desires and askingfor help, she is able to become the type of authentic person we all hopeto be.” —Nadine Kenney Johnstone, award-winning memoirist of Of This Much I’m Sure “Margaret Ghielmetti shows us that sometimes you have to travel a long way to find a path back to your true self. Brave(ish) is intimate and honest- the two best words to describe a memoir.”—Arlene Malinowski Ph.D., award-winning playwright of “What Does The Sun Sound Like”“Travel lover Ghielmetti sets her coming-of-middle-age tale against avivid and alluring backdrop of beautiful and complex places such asEgypt, Singapore, Paris, and the Presbyterian Home in Evanston,Illinois. This culturally rich narrative makes us long to travel withGhielmetti as she comes to understand that discovering her exteriorlandscape is secondary to discovering her interior one; that she cancreate momentum even when being still; and that living in these distantplaces in the world has brought her nearer to places of the heart, andof the spirit.”—Patricia Ann McNair, award-winning author of The Temple of Air and And These Are the Good Times“This beautifully written book invites readers to join the author on aparallel journey. A wonderfully rendered narrative of life and travel onmultiple continents around the world, Brave(ish) explores thehumor and humanity of the places Ghielmetti inhabits and chronicles apoignant interior journey and her struggle to transcend constraints ofchildhood rules. Told with love, warmth, and brave self-reflection, thevictories and losses along these two journeys coalesce to form anurturing path of being at home wherever your travels take you.”—Dr. Niva Piran, award-winning author of Journeys of Embodiment at the Intersection of Body and Culture “Brave(ish) is a breathtaking journey across the globe and intothe soul. The author’s adventures as a ‘trailing wife’ will captivateyou with glimpses into the opulent world of first-class hotels andjaw-dropping travel destinations—but it’s her determined quest to findhome within herself that will hold your heart.”—MT Cozzola, author of Boy Small“Brave(ish) invites us on Margaret’s amazing adventures, wheretreasures are unearthed—some from worlds beyond what most of us have orwill ever experience. Women’s lives often have a tipping point, andMargaret shares with us that moment of revelation where what she oncedreamed and imagined no longer suffices.”—Laurie Kahn, director of Womencare Counseling and Training Center and author of Baffled by Love“Ghielmetti’s sure hand and clear prose guide us through her compellingstory of breaking free from the straightjacket of perfectionism. Ifmemoir is the art of making the personal universal, she has hit the markand then some. You’ll enjoy her often wise, often funny journey throughan emotional and international landscape.”—Anne Laughlin, author of Lammy-nominated The Acquittal “Reading Brave(ish) led me to an “aha” moment I had been unknowinglyawaiting my entire adult life. A recovering perfectionist myself, Ifound solace in another woman questioning “What will I be if I’m notperfect?” Kudos to Margaret for asking tough questions and findinganswers. Let us take her example and forge ahead towards being—at thevery least—brave(ish).”—R.C. Riley, author of the solo show “Wrong Way Journey”“To use Ghielmetti’s own words, reading her memoir is like an ‘ottereasing into a river.’ It’s easy to cry and laugh with her on her journeythrough both exotic places in the world and intimate places in theheart. At the same time, I was permitted to walk through the door of hercomplex family and marriage and witness firsthand the behind-the-doorfeelings of both. Rarely is a reader given such profound access to thehumble humanity of another person.”—Adrienne Weiss, author of Brand Buzz: Three Breakthrough Secrets for Building a Winning Brand“In her eloquently crafted memoir, Margaret Ghielmetti takes us along onparallel journeys. Each stop along the way of her ‘sheroe’s journey’back to self is set against a gorgeously painted backdrop that is herliteral journey around the world.” —Rita Balzotti, Career Advancement & Alumni Manager, Cara Chicago “Margaret shares a mosaic of intimate thoughts, souvenirs, and memorieswith a humorous and colourful writing style that compels you to read tothe end of the story. This book should be a ‘must-read’ for anyoneembarking on an international career as an expatriate—with all the goodand not-so-glamorous aspects of it. Most importantly, this book is alove story about acceptance of oneself.” —René Beauchamp, founder of Rise&Spice blog and consultant hotelier“What an inspiring book with memories of the glamorous life of a hotelgeneral manager—and the trepidation of daily life trying to get the newculture and customs of each new move. The beautiful writing transportsus on an expat journey and I would highly recommend this book for anyoneabout to embark on this life.”—Louise Beer, founder and director of Prag Artworks Gallery, Czech Republic“Brave(ish) is a revelatory and rich mix of memoir andtravelogue. In this emotionally powerful book, Ghielmetti reveals thepainful journey she takes to self-discovery with insight and humor. Anacclaimed storyteller, Margaret writes with raw honesty, probingly andhilariously, about her adventures and struggles as a trailing spouse.”—Don Henderson, retired book buyer for Gallery Shops, National Gallery of Art“Brave(ish) is an international journey and a glimpse into theinterior of the soulful writer. Ghielmetti’s candor gives context toher experiences and each of the places—and transported me there. With anopenness to share without holding back, she allows the reader afirsthand experience into her emotional life—and in doing so allows thereader to be in touch with theirs.”—JoAnn Kurtz-Ahlers, president of Hidden Doorways, A KAA Travel Collection“Margaret takes her readers on a tour of far-off, exotic locationsthrough her beautiful storytelling. It’s in these places that she comesto grips with her need to please. The unfolding and rediscovering of whoshe is in this world and the power of her story is a triumph.”—Deanna Moffitt, CEO of Luminant Leadership and transformational coach at The You Experience“In this intimate memoir, Ghielmetti takes us on several voyages atonce. Through vivid sketches, we travel with her to France, Egypt,Thailand, Singapore, and India. Along the way, we see how she refashionsher family’s rigid code of behavior into more flexible guidelines. Wewatch the growth of her relationships with her husband, her agingparents, and her higher power. We’re alongside as her self-conceptevolves, from ‘Trailing Spouse’ to aspiring writer to confidentstory-teller to—at long last—published author. It’s one woman’sinspiring voyage of self-discovery and empowerment.”—Dan Richman, editor of Drive or Die“As one of live lit’s most skilled and respected storytellers,Ghielmetti consistently weaves the perfectly crafted tale on stage, and Brave(ish)is as bold, fun, and fascinating as her spoken-word performances. Turnsout this self-proclaimed ‘teacher’s pet’ also has an adventurousstreak!” —Stephanie Rogers, producer and chief creative officer at Story Jam and Story Jam Studio“Brave(ish) impacted me deeply. It made me laugh and cry outloud, sometimes simultaneously. While Margaret’s journey is an unusualone that has taken her all over the globe, it is one that so many of uscan relate to while enjoying the wonderful travel tales. It made methink about my own ‘family handbook’ and how it has impacted mydecisions and my life. Margaret reminded me that it’s never too late tofind yourself.”—Alexis Romer, VP-Sales, Luxury Travel Industry, Bulgari, EDITION, Luxury Collection, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels“Brave(ish) traces a journey of life: learning the ‘familyhandbook’ of rules while we’re young, then applying the rulesreligiously—until we evolve and shed layers to eventually get to ourplace of peace. Margaret reminds the reader that it’s acceptable to‘kiss our good little girl or boy good-bye’ in order to unleash ouressential selves into the world. This book inspires me to investigate myown family handbook, setting down the rules which no longer work for meand breaking free from their grip to accommodate who I am now.” —Michelle Sanford, leadership coach at Impact by Design/Sanford & Associates“If you’ve picked up Brave(ish), you’re about to journey to someof the world’s most fascinating places, including those within. Admittedpeople pleaser and perfectionist Margaret brings humor, tenderness, andauthenticity to the practice of releasing perfectionism. She is pureclass without the ‘act,’ a guide who journeyed the world to find home.”—Lynne E. Sheridan, transformational trainer at Inspire Coaching

Margaret Davis Ghielmetti has lived on four continents and has visited fifty countries. She is a Live Lit Storyteller who has won two StorySLAMs with The Moth. She wrote and performed a solo show, “Fierce,” about refinding her creative expression, and is passionate about sharing the beauty of the world through her photos. She and her Swiss-born husband, Patrick, can be found in Chicago when they’re not out exploring.

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