Tuesday Intros -- Big Magic

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph of the current book you are reading.
People either seemed to love or hate Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. I enjoyed it, especially the section in Italy. Now I'm beginning her book Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear. She's talking about creativity and inspiration in this one.
Here's the intro:
Once upon a time, there was a man named Jack Gilbert, who was not related to me -- unfortunately for me.

Jack Gilbert was a great poet, but if you've never heard of him, don't worry about it. It's not your fault. He never much cared about being known. But I knew about him, and I  loved him dearly from a respectful distance, so let me tell you about him.
Jack Gilbert was born in Pittsburgh in 1925 and grew up in the midst of that city's smoke, noise, and industry. He worked in factories and steel mills as a young man, but was called from an early age to write poetry. .He answered the call without hesitation. He became a poet the way other men become monks: as a devotional practice, as an act of love, and as a lifelong commitment to the search for grace and transcendence. I think this is probably a very good way to become a poet. Or to become anything really, that calls to your heart and brings you to life. 

This is a fairly long intro to include, but I think it's pretty slow to begin and doesn't capture me yet. Hopefully it will inspire me.
I look forward to hearing about other good books from the rest of you.