Welcome back to Red Chair Recs, where JayRay-ers 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
Advisor Alex:
“Nuclear War: A Scenario” by Annie Jacobsen
“This is a thrilling ride! It reads like an action movie while the reader learns about the immediacy behind geopolitical tension. It’s nonfiction that feels like fiction. I definitely recommend it, especially for someone who likes documentaries or disaster movies.”
Principal and Operations Manager Bethany:
“My Friends” by Fredrick Backman
“A novel about our connections to people — those we meet in childhood and those we meet later — and their impacts.”
Principal and Senior Advisor Bridget:
“People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
“A charming, globe-hopping romance — think New York, Palm Springs, Italy and more. As a travel enthusiast, I loved the little destination details along the way — and the Netflix adaptation that dropped last month.”
Watch
Advisor Cara:
“If you like a good crime drama, grab a seat in the Lincoln Lawyer’s courtroom — you won’t be disappointed.”
Senior Art Director Julia:
“Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23”
“After James Van Der Beek’s tragic passing, I had to re-watch this underrated gem in which he plays a satirized version of himself (plus it’s stacked with cameos of other celebs-as-themselves). Disguised as a cheesy sitcom, it’ll hit you with an unexpectedly dark joke — and just like that, you’re hooked. The second tragedy here is that there are only two seasons.”
Senior Art Director Sean:
“When Life Gives You Tangerines“
“Pure poetry. The plot follows the lives of three generations of islanders from Jeju Island in Southern South Korea, traversing the hopes and romances of early life through the realities of middle age and parenting adult children. The show features excellent (and humorous) writing, lovable characters delivered by a wonderful ensemble cast, and a beyond-perfect soundtrack. Watching ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ is like watching your own life unfold in front of you, offering a strong reminder to live for love.”
Listen
Senior Advisor Jen:
“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans
“I listened to the audiobook, and it completely won me over. A story told through letters, it’s witty, wise and deeply human. It made me reflect on connection, aging, regret and the power of reaching back out to people who shaped us.”
Assistant Advisor Travis:
“I recently traded Spotify for Qobuz, and it’s been a game-changer. It’s a premium music magazine and a high-fidelity streaming service rolled into one. I downloaded the desktop app to stay focused during my JayRay projects with the help of music, but it’s the editorial content that has stood out and kept me pleasantly surprised. The rich context provided for recommended artists adds a layer of human connection that’s missing from other apps. The ‘Editor’s Picks’ section has introduced me to a lot of cool bands, including one of my new favorites, the Indonesian Psych Groove band Nusantara Beat. Their self-titled album is unique, high-energy, and has become the soundtrack to my recent work.”