Invitations by Bruce Ballard takes on some deeply personal themes, including his struggle with Parkinson’s, through a mix of poetry and short stories. While I was intrigued by the premise, the writing felt a bit too simplistic for me and didn’t pack the emotional punch I was hoping for. The different pieces didn’t really come together as a cohesive whole, which made it hard to stay engaged.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214040169-invitations
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214040169-invitations
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214040169-invitations

Maybe this one was not for me. Indeed the premise was quite compelling, it was quite impressive how the poet would portray Parkinson's, but the there was something missing and it failed to impress me. Its a DNF for me at twelve percent for now, but will surely resume reading it soon.

I typically don't venture into the world of poetry books but thought I would try out Bruce Ballard's Invitations. Initially drawn given his honest reflection of having Parkinson's (I am an OT and work in the research/science world) and thought that the way he spoke about PD was intriguing and evocative. I'm realizing now that I'm not reeeeeeeeeally a poetry person and don't think I will be venturing this way any further.

Regardless, I didn't hate it and can respect it for what it is. Do I recommend it? Maybe. Will I read it again? Probably not.

Thank you NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for the advanced reader copy of this book (even though I didn't finish this until post-publication).

A poignant, compelling, and hopeful memoir about the author's life after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Uses poems and stories woven together in a unique and creative way. Inspiring!

What a wonderfully well done book about not letting a disease stop you or slow you down. Throughly enjoyed. I really enjoyed the mix between short poems and longer stories the break up and editing really worked for me. I especially loved the rhyming poems. I'm a SUCKER for a rhyme.

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝐸-𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓀

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞—𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥.

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬, 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐝'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 (𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐝) 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝐵𝓇𝓊𝒸𝑒 𝐵𝒶𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓇𝒹, 𝒜𝓉𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓅𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

The concept of poetry woven with narratives that draw from personal experiences was a new experience for me. Ballard did a spectacular job navigating a difficult (and quite frankly) sad thing and honoring that but also weaving in comedy to keep the reader going. I think about one poem all the time now that talks about his Parkinson's being an unwanted and unexpected quest. I'm privileged enough to have never been affected by Parkinson's or know anyone who has, but comparing the disease to an unwanted guest made it applicable to a lot of other things which in turn resonates with the reader more.

## Book Review: *Invitations* by Bruce Ballard

Bruce Ballard’s *Invitations* is a compelling exploration of the intricacies of human connection and personal growth. Through a series of deeply personal and introspective narratives, Ballard crafts a thought-provoking novel that invites readers to examine their own lives and relationships in new and meaningful ways.

The story revolves around Simon, a middle-aged man whose life has settled into a predictable routine. Feeling a sense of unfulfillment, Simon is prompted to re-evaluate his life when he receives a series of mysterious invitations to various events. Each invitation leads him to encounters that challenge his perceptions, confront his fears, and push him to step out of his comfort zone.

Ballard's writing is both lyrical and precise, capturing the nuances of Simon's emotional journey with sensitivity and insight. The invitations serve as catalysts for Simon's transformation, leading him to interactions with a diverse array of characters who each impart valuable lessons. These characters are richly developed and vividly portrayed, making their influence on Simon's journey both believable and impactful.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of the themes of vulnerability and openness. As Simon navigates each invitation, he is forced to confront parts of himself he has long ignored or suppressed. These experiences, though often uncomfortable, are depicted with authenticity and empathy. Ballard’s portrayal of Simon’s struggles and triumphs is deeply relatable, encouraging readers to reflect on their own lives and the ways in which they engage with the world around them.

The settings in *Invitations* are described with evocative detail, from bustling cityscapes to serene natural retreats. Each location enhances the narrative, providing a backdrop that complements Simon's internal journey. Ballard's ability to create a strong sense of place immerses readers in the story, making Simon's experiences all the more resonant.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with moments of introspection interspersed with action and dialogue. Ballard skillfully weaves together the various threads of Simon’s journey, building a narrative that is both engaging and reflective. The use of the invitations as a narrative device is particularly effective, providing structure while allowing for a rich exploration of themes.

*Invitations* also delves into the idea of community and the importance of human connection. Through his encounters, Simon learns that growth often comes from opening oneself up to others and embracing the unexpected. Ballard's depiction of these connections is heartfelt and genuine, emphasizing the impact that seemingly small interactions can have on our lives.

The novel’s conclusion is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Simon’s journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment is not portrayed as a neat resolution, but rather as an ongoing process. This realistic portrayal of personal growth adds depth to the story and leaves readers with a sense of hope and possibility.

In conclusion, Bruce Ballard’s *Invitations* is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the complexities of personal growth and human connection. Through Simon’s journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own lives and the ways in which they engage with the world. Ballard's lyrical prose, rich character development, and evocative settings make this novel a deeply engaging and rewarding read.

For those seeking a book that offers both a compelling narrative and a profound exploration of life’s challenges and rewards, *Invitations* is an excellent choice. It is a story that resonates long after the final page is turned, reminding us of the transformative power of openness, vulnerability, and connection.