A small read but huge in inspiration is Wayne Gilbert's Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation, which, as advertised, does what it says. He provides a visual shorthand for conveying weight, attitude and expression. Below are a few scans from some of the pages. A few of you asked how you should draw for these pose drawings, and look no further...the blow drawings are sparse on detail, but convey exactly what one needs for animation.
This last one is fantastic...even with a stick figure, everything essential can be conveyed.
