Nissel's second book, Mixed: My Life in Black and White, is a comedic look at growing up as the child of a biracial couple.

Nissel was born and raised in Philadelphia. She attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she majored in Creative Writing, and also graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998 with a degree in medical anthropology.

Her book The Broke Diaries has been featured on Oprah. She was featured on 20/20 with her mother, which also featured her book, Mixed.

The Broke Diaries

USA Today praised the book as being "the New Economy's version of Down and Out in Paris and London, George Orwell's 1933 book about the urban poor."

Mademoiselle, April 2001 - "...the deft way Nissel transforms the ordeals of poverty into funny, reassuring anecdotes makes it an almost enviable condition."

Mixed

Kirkus Reviews named the book one of the ten best non-fiction books of 2006, saying, "“Readers will be grateful that she's willing to revisit her challenging past: Colorful anecdotes, marvelous dialogue and a thoughtful narrative make this memoir a delight.”

Entertainment Weekly said, "As poignant as it is painfully funny."

Booklist says, “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.“

Publisher’s Weekly says, “IlluminatingNissel's writing is very funny and very sharp.”

Halle Berry says, "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."

• Nissel's first book was promoted in non-traditional ways. In one case, her friend applied "Buy The Broke Diaries!" stickers to ramen noodle packages and passed them out near bookstores. She also promoted it in her signature when she posted on Internet forums.

• On October 28, 2006, Nissel made her debut as a panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!".

• Founded the music-related website Okayplayer.com with Ahmir Thompson (drummer for The Roots). The website is currently the home of The Roots, Common (who appeared in the Nissel-written Scrubs episode "Her Story"), Talib Kweli and several others.