He had a mystical quality,” the veteran actor told us. “That might sound a bit overblown, but it’s the truth.” ...

In the eight books below, casual pursuits such as knitting, gardening, and drawing, undertaken with varying levels of skill ...

A casual pastime, when practiced consistently, can change a life. Thank you for reading The Atlantic. This is an edition of the Books Briefing, our editors’ weekly guide to the best in books. Sign up ...