From One Book Lover

Click here to go to Brain Pickings , where, as Maria Popova writes: In this exquisite reading from New York’s 92Y , the great James Earl Jones brings his formidable dramatic prowess to sections 6, 7, 17, 18, and 19, breathing explosive new life into Whitman’s timeless verses.  "Song of Myself" begins grandly, sweepingly and famously: I celebrate myself; And what I assume you shall assume; For every atom belonging to me, as good belongs to you. I loafe and invite my Soul; I lean and loafe at my ease, observing a spear of summer grass. Houses and rooms are full of perfumes—the shelves are crowded with perfumes; I breathe the fragrance myself, and know it and like it; The distillation would intoxicate me also, but I shall not let it. The atmosphere is not a perfume—it has no taste of the distillation—it is odorless; It is for my mouth forever—I am in love with it; I will go ...

Fellow adventurers, I share with you a fantastic entry on Brain Pickings that hopefully will serve as inspiration as you venture into unfamiliar lands during NaNoWriMo. Click here to read the list kindly typed out by Maria Popova. Once you are done here, go to the Brain Pickings website . Support that incredible effort and all it brings you. You'll be glad you did. And find out more about NaNoWriMo — it's a fun challenge you'll be glad you did. Well, when it's over, you'll be glad. Like training for a marathon: it's often less painful in your rear-view mirror.

What would you take with you if the house was on fire? I asked that question in one memorable Poetry Wednesday post, The valley is on fire . Find out about Foster Huntington's book and related website , The Burning House , and how he found that answer among friends and strangers alike. Have you written your poem on the subject? Taken a photo? Made decisions?