Alyson Gerber > Quotes

“I guess change is pretty scary. Even if it's the good kind.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“I guess when you don't have another choice, you have to make things happen for yourself, or they won't.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“The best you can do is treat them how you want them to treat you, stand up for yourself, and then don’t waste your energy worrying what they think. I know that’s especially hard right now when you can’t avoid them, but it’s good practice. There will be Tamars and Sages for the rest of your life.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“Everything bad happened already, and it couldn’t have been worse, but you survived it. You’re on the other side.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“This isn't over. This is just the beginning.”
― Alyson Gerber, A Risky Game

“Weatherby knows I’m kidding,” Prescott says back, and then he looks at me. “You know I’m kidding, right?”
― Alyson Gerber, A Risky Game

“And I'm more certain than ever that it's time for me to get as far away from the Hunt legacy as I can.”
― Alyson Gerber, A Risky Game

“I feel bad for lying to them. We aren’t the kind of friends who keep secrets, but once I say it out loud, scoliosis won’t be this thing that only exists with Mom at the hospital. It will be part of me every day. And the brace won’t be over until I’m done growing. Whenever that is.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“There are always parties you’re not invited to and people who hurt your feelings. They just don’t matter as much, because you can make different friends who appreciate you.” “That sounds impossible.” “I know, honey, but trust me, it’s possible.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“But you had surgery and you’re fine,” I say. “I was really lucky, Rachel. There are big risks when you have a spinal fusion. The surgeons use metal rods and screws to straighten and fuse the vertebrae into a solid bone. You don’t want surgery unless you absolutely need it.” She grabs my hand and looks at me. Her eyes are welling up again. “I love you. And we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“We all have secrets.”
― Alyson Gerber

“She got really pretty over the summer.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“When you have a negative thought about food, I want you to say to yourself—All foods are allowed. It’s going to be hard at first. But it will get easier. Eventually I’d like you to get to the point where what you eat doesn’t take up so much space in your head or define how you feel about yourself.” “I want that too,” I say. “I’m afraid food is always going to be hard for me.” “You can change.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“Starving yourself is not going to make you better at anything.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“Dr. Paul recommends that you don’t take your brace off for more than an hour, because of your family history and the quick progression of your curve, combined with the projected length of time between now and when you’re done growing.” “If Dr. Paul is not recommending it, we’re not doing it,” Mom says.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“A what? No. Mom, I don’t want a back brace.” I look at her. “I know you don’t, sweetheart.” She rests her hand on my shoulder, rubbing in slow, gentle circles. “I wish this wasn’t happening. But if Dr. Paul says you need a brace, then you do. We have to do everything we can right now to stop your curve from getting worse. This is your chance to avoid surgery.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“Are you listening, Rachel?” “Yes,” I say. “I’ll tell her the brace is your only priority.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“Sometimes it’s easier to pretend to be someone else, especially when who you really are makes you sad.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“Food is a way we take care of people we love.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“Before bed, I make a new playlist. It’s a mix of anthems and fight songs that remind me there’s nowhere to go but up.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“I can’t just expect other people to know what I want unless I tell them, and sometimes even my parents need extra help to hear me.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“I don’t feel good about myself. I’m not happy. And I want to be. I think I deserve to be.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“Rachel, Amy, good to see you both again,” Jules says. “Rachel, I’d like you to put this on.” She hands me a different stretchy tank top. “It’s sort of like an undershirt for your brace. You’ll want to wear one of these all the time to protect your skin.” “From what?” I ask. “The padding will rub against you at first. It takes some time for your skin to toughen up and adjust to the brace, but it will. Try not to use lotions or anything scented on your stomach.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“I guess when you don’t have another choice, you have to make things happen for yourself, or they won’t.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“I was counting on Dad to be on my side. I really need someone to get why I’m so sad, and it’s not going to be Mom.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced

“Everyone has secrets”
― Alyson Gerber, A Secret Escape

“That’s because they’re obsessed with being skinny. They think it means you’re better at life, which is stupid and rude to everyone who isn’t. Also, Lizzo is way better at singing and dancing and performing and being confident and pretty than basically everyone, and she’s not small.” “Yeah,” I say. “Totes.”
― Alyson Gerber, Taking Up Space

“Dr. Paul has prescribed your brace for twenty-three hours per day.” I’m not sure I hear her right. No one said I’d have to wear it all day, even to school and while I’m sleeping. I look at Mom, but she nods her head like a puppet. “I can’t wear a back brace all day,” I say. “Yes, you can,” Mom says. “You have to, honey.”
― Alyson Gerber, Braced