Brace for Impact book discussion and author talk

QT Library and Boston Roller Derby are hosting a discussion and author talk for Gabe Montesanti's memoir, Brace for Impact.

Join us starting at 1:30 for conversation and community, and a talk from Gabe starting at 2:00 (Gabe's visit will be virtual, but we will be meeting in person).

Book summary

Growing up queer in a conservative Midwestern town, Gabe Montesanti never felt comfortable in her own skin. A competitive swimmer, she turned to perfectionism and self-control to create a sense of safety, only to develop an eating disorder and constantly second-guess her instincts. When she enters graduate school in St. Louis, she is determined to put the baggage of her childhood behind her. With no prior experience, she joins Arch Rival, one of the top-ranked roller derby leagues in the world. Gabe instantly falls in love with the sport’s roughness, intensity, and open embrace of people who are literally and figuratively scarred. She soon finds community and a sense of belonging, reveling in the tattoos, glitter, and campiness.
But when Gabe suffers a catastrophic injury, she can no longer ignore the parallels between the physicality of roller derby and the unresolved trauma of her upbringing. Rendered inactive, forced to be still, Gabe realizes she needs to heal her emotional wounds as much as her physical ones; she must confront her fear and self-diminishment in order to feel truly alive.
Told with unflinching honesty and a giant dose of wonder, Brace for Impact is a tender, inspiring memoir about the everyday heroism of pursuing a life less ordinary, and the deeply human need to be at peace with who you are.

Questions or comments: Please reach out to us via email at [email protected].

Support QT Library

While all of the QT Library's programs are always free to attend, they are not free to put on. We are an entirely volunteer run organization funded by donations from folks in the community, like you! If you’d like to see more programs like this, please consider donating to the QT Library on our website at qtlibrary.org. Once there, you can also learn about other programs we offer and stay up to date on our work.

Support Boston Roller Derby

Come join us for an action-packed evening of roller derby as we host our first double header of the 2025 season! Get ready to witness two thrilling matches as our talented skaters battle it out in two home team face-offs!

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025

Time: Doors open at 4:00pm, first whistle at 5:00pm.

Location: 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887

More information at bostonrollerderby.com

Host or Publisher The QT Library