Say hello to Red Chair Recs, where JayRayers spill what’s filling our shelves, screens and earbuds this season. From page-turners and can’t-miss podcasts to the shows we lose sleep over, this quarterly series is all about the media that shapes our ideas, feeds our guilty pleasures or simply helps us unwind.
Read
Senior Art Director Julia:
“Between Two Fires” by Christopher Buehlman
“The classic trope of a crude, curmudgeonly lone wolf obliged to take an innocent under his wing for a treacherous journey — set against the backdrop of medieval horror. If you like ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘The Last of Us’ or even ‘Shrek,’ you’ll enjoy this.”
Principal and Senior Advisor Bridget:
“Very Good Copy: 207 Micro-Lessons on Thinking and Writing Like a Copywriter” by Eddie Shleyner
“Picked up ‘Very Good Copy’ because every copywriter — myself included — has room to sharpen skills and stay ahead of AI. Can’t wait to dig into its punchy micro-lessons and practical persuasion tips. I can’t rate it yet because I’ve only just begun!”
Senior Advisor Jackie:
“I’ll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw at the Trump White House” by Stephanie Grisham
“This book puts you in the front seat of the roller coaster that is White House operations. Stephanie served in various communications roles during the first Trump presidency, including a stint on Melania Trump’s staff. I was fascinated (and alarmed) by the author’s stories about what happened in press conferences, staff meetings, hallway conversations and negotiations. Recommend, with a caution to keep your stress ball handy.”
Watch
Advisor Alex:
“This is a smart and emotionally charged drama about power, media and morality. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are both hilarious and emotional. It sometimes tries to tackle too many hot-button topics at once, which can dilute its impact — but it simulates real news with real events, and it peels back the drama behind what it takes to run a broadcast show. It’s overall compelling and worth watching!”
Senior Advisor Jen:
“‘Shrinking’ has quickly become my all-time favorite. It’s the perfect mix of hilarious and heartfelt. One minute I’m ugly crying, the next I’m laughing out loud, and I can’t wait for season three.”
Senior Art Director Sean:
“‘The Brutalist’ is a beautiful film about a Hungarian architect who escapes Europe during the Nazi invasion (WWII). The main character, played by Adrian Brody, is a Bauhaus-educated artist who experiences many hardships and prejudices as a Jewish Hungarian immigrant in America. The film is an interesting meditation on artistic vision and personal compromise, focusing on a complex relationship between a drug-addicted artist and his lecherous patron.”
Listen
Advisor Cara:
“Three”
“Amanda Knox hosts season two of ‘Three’ detailing the true-crime murder of Dana Ireland and the wrongful conviction that occurred in the case. This had me wearing my AirPods everywhere I went for days. Definitely worth a listen and will reframe what you thought you knew about wrongful convictions.”
Principal and Operations Manager Bethany:
“Should I be embarrassed to recommend the ‘Armchair Expert’ podcast’s ‘Armchair Anonymous’ episodes? Probably. But I’m not. I dare you to not find something that makes you laugh out loud.”