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rdebner's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse
This book is very hard to read in parts, especially when the author talks about her relationship with her mother and her eating disorder. She describes with great nuance the complicated relationship with her mom, but it is hard to read about how controlling, manipulative, and emotionally abusive her mom is. The book shines when it shows how roller derby brought the author into community, into a place she belonged and where she was loved and cared for, and into her own power and adult identity.anielabooks's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I am a casual reader of nonfiction, as I more often read fantasy and romance. However, I won this book in a giveaway; A memoir about a queer woman who plays roller derby was definitely something that intrigued me. From reading this book, I learned so much about the sport and it’s accompanying community. Montesanti’s writing style really helps you feel connected to her teammates, especially her derby mom, Taryn. While I loved reading about Joan of Spark’s roller derby fun, I was most captivated by the self-discovery happening at the same time. Montesanti shares very personal experiences from her childhood, which have shaped her to become the person she is now. It was truly inspiring to see how she learned to be more independent from her mother and was able to recognize the flaws within that relationship. I recommend this book to readers who love nonfiction and queer books with an emphasis on personal growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Excrement, and Vomit
matchaluuver's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Amazing book that was super interesting, heartbreaking and inspiring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Homophobia, Vomit, Emotional abuse, and Medical trauma
sinmin667's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Excellent, couldn't put it down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical trauma and Injury/Injury detail
halfwaytoaugust's review against another edition
5.0
It's kind of strange to review someone's life story... but anyway, I really enjoyed reading about Gabe's life in Brace for Impact.
In this book, we get insights into roller derby, injuries, queerness, and toxic family situations. Is it strange to say I enjoyed reading about this? Maybe. But it was wholly captivating, unapologetically queer, and taught me more about what roller derby is, which I loved.
Gabe writes so beautifully, really drawing the reader in, & making it feel like we are experiencing everything too. Which makes for a very intense read. It's written non-linearly, with both present-day events and flashbacks to past events, but done in a way that makes complete sense and flows very well together.
It was such a great experience reading about how Gabe grew as a person, became more herself, and found a community. I also appreciate the candidness about the bad parts - the struggles and falling back into the toxic family dynamic. It shows life as it is.
I really think anyone in the queer community would enjoy this memoir like I did, keeping in mind the heaviness of some of the topics broached.
CW: emotional abuse, toxic family, disordered eating, injury, doctor's offices, hospital/ER stay, self harm, anxiety, vomit, unwanted touch, pandemic, HP references
Rating system:
5 - absolutely love, little-to-no dislikes that did not impact my reading experience
4 - great book, minor dislikes that did have an impact on my reading experience
3 - good/decent book but for some reason did not hook me or there were some problematic things that just were not addressed or greatly impacted my reading experience
2 - is either a book I did not click with and did not enjoy, problematic aspects are not addressed and severely impacted my reading experience, or I DNF'd but think it has potential for others
1 - is very problematic, I would not recommend the book to anyone
Thank you to Netgalley & The Dial Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, we get insights into roller derby, injuries, queerness, and toxic family situations. Is it strange to say I enjoyed reading about this? Maybe. But it was wholly captivating, unapologetically queer, and taught me more about what roller derby is, which I loved.
Gabe writes so beautifully, really drawing the reader in, & making it feel like we are experiencing everything too. Which makes for a very intense read. It's written non-linearly, with both present-day events and flashbacks to past events, but done in a way that makes complete sense and flows very well together.
It was such a great experience reading about how Gabe grew as a person, became more herself, and found a community. I also appreciate the candidness about the bad parts - the struggles and falling back into the toxic family dynamic. It shows life as it is.
I really think anyone in the queer community would enjoy this memoir like I did, keeping in mind the heaviness of some of the topics broached.
CW: emotional abuse, toxic family, disordered eating, injury, doctor's offices, hospital/ER stay, self harm, anxiety, vomit, unwanted touch, pandemic, HP references
Rating system:
5 - absolutely love, little-to-no dislikes that did not impact my reading experience
4 - great book, minor dislikes that did have an impact on my reading experience
3 - good/decent book but for some reason did not hook me or there were some problematic things that just were not addressed or greatly impacted my reading experience
2 - is either a book I did not click with and did not enjoy, problematic aspects are not addressed and severely impacted my reading experience, or I DNF'd but think it has potential for others
1 - is very problematic, I would not recommend the book to anyone
Thank you to Netgalley & The Dial Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Vomit
snowydaze's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I received an electronic ARC of Brace for Impact by Gabe Montesanti from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. To begin, this memoir was one of my favorite books of the year! Overall, I found Gabe’s writing to consist of thoughts and experiences that I have dealt with in the past and as such, the way in which Gabe interconnects her feelings related to her family and her longing to not feel alone, hit a little too close to home. Which allowed for me to feel a very peculiar connection to her memoir.
Although the pacing for the first few chapters seemed a little slow, it picked up shortly thereafter and maintained a steady pace for the remainder of the book. When coupled with the way she organized the memoir, this helped to keep my attention hooked for the rest of the book. Additionally, I enjoyed reading about how roller derby allowed for Gabe to have the necessary space to learn to not only be comfortable in her skin but to thrive. Her descriptions of longing to belong and the bonds of family that exceed beyond blood, were insightful and inspiring for those of us still looking for our place in the world. Overall, this memoir is an ode to roller derby, self acceptance and found families, with a queer cast of amazing individuals whose personalities shined through the pages.
Although the pacing for the first few chapters seemed a little slow, it picked up shortly thereafter and maintained a steady pace for the remainder of the book. When coupled with the way she organized the memoir, this helped to keep my attention hooked for the rest of the book. Additionally, I enjoyed reading about how roller derby allowed for Gabe to have the necessary space to learn to not only be comfortable in her skin but to thrive. Her descriptions of longing to belong and the bonds of family that exceed beyond blood, were insightful and inspiring for those of us still looking for our place in the world. Overall, this memoir is an ode to roller derby, self acceptance and found families, with a queer cast of amazing individuals whose personalities shined through the pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, and Medical content
Minor: Vomit
caseythereader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Thanks to the Dial Press for the free advance copy of this book.
- BRACE FOR IMPACT is a beautiful blend of queer discovery, relearning who you are away from your family, and peek into the wild and wonderful world of roller derby.
- This memoir is not for the faint of heart, given that it covers eating disorders, emotionally abusive parents, and horrific sports injuries, but following along as Montesanti grows more at home with herself is more than worth the trip. Plus, it's chock full of excellent derby player names.
- The joy of finding your queer home is so wonderful, I'm glad books like this one showcase that experience so lovingly.
- BRACE FOR IMPACT is a beautiful blend of queer discovery, relearning who you are away from your family, and peek into the wild and wonderful world of roller derby.
- This memoir is not for the faint of heart, given that it covers eating disorders, emotionally abusive parents, and horrific sports injuries, but following along as Montesanti grows more at home with herself is more than worth the trip. Plus, it's chock full of excellent derby player names.
- The joy of finding your queer home is so wonderful, I'm glad books like this one showcase that experience so lovingly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Ableism, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
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