October at Brunch Book Club takes us to Japan through both story and cuisine. Our Book of the Month is Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura (translated by Yuki Tejima), a tender, mysterious tale about reunions between the living and the dead, and the longing for closure that binds us all.
We’ll be gathering at Flesh & Buns, Covent Garden. Inspired by the Japanese izakaya — warm, lively pubs that bring people together over food, drink, and companionship — Flesh & Buns offers a sanctuary below Seven Dials where you can leave London behind and experience Japanese hospitality. Bottomless Brunch is £35 per person. Choose one dish per course. Choose from free-flowing Prosecco, red wine, white wine, Asahi or soft cocktails. The three courses:
Edamame
Skewers
Buns
This month’s theme leans into the ghostly and otherworldly, perfectly pairing Tsujimura’s haunting yet tender exploration of grief with the intimate, atmospheric izakaya-style dining. Expect a conversation that will move between the heartwarming and the uncanny, as we reflect on love, loss, and the spaces in between.
See you at brunch! 🥂📚🥑
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PLEASE NOTE: This is an all day event starting with our online book discussion at 10:30am followed by brunch in the afternoon. To ensure you have all details please sign up to our mailing list where you'll receive a full itinerary, discussion questions, Online Discussion link and much more.
PREORDER & PREPAYMENT POLICY: To confirm your place, we require a full preorder and prepayment one week in advance of the event. If these aren’t received by the deadline, your ticket will be forfeited. A preorder form will be sent to attendees via email two weeks before the event. To ensure you receive all communications please add admin@brunchbookclub.com to your contacts and always check your spam.
Flesh and Buns, Covent Garden
If you’ve ever delved into Japanese culinary culture, chances are you’ve come across the term “izakaya.” This quintessential Japanese establishment seamlessly marries the warmth of camaraderie with the delights of a diverse menu.
But what exactly is an izakaya, and why are these restaurants so integral to Japan’s social fabric?
An izakaya is a traditional Japanese pub or tavern that is more than a mere dining establishment. Rooted in Japanese history, the term ‘izakaya’ is a fusion of ‘i’ (to stay) and ‘sakaya’ (sake shop), reflecting its historical origins as places where customers could enjoy sake and stay for a meal. Over time, the izakaya has evolved into a vibrant hub more than simply a place to eat; they are communal experiences, bringing people together in a celebration of food, drink and companionship.
Flesh & Buns Covent Garden is a sanctuary below the bustling streets of Seven Dials. Try out a new culinary experience at the best Japanese restaurant in Covent Garden. Leave London at the door, experience Japanese Izakaya hospitality, and taste the best sushi in Covent Garden.
The restaurant is in the heart of the Theatre District, a short walk from Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, Charing Cross, and Leicester Square stations.
Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura
Is there anyone from the afterlife you wish to see?
So asks the smart young man, Ayumi, to his clients who have come to him for a reunion with the person who once changed their life.
But it is no ordinary reunion The people they ask to see have passed away.
Calling himself the go-between, Ayumi lays down strict rules around the meetings between the living and the dead: the deceased cannot have been summoned by anyone else; they may refuse; and they must meet under a full moon.
- Anxious Hirase asks to see the celebrity who showed her kindness at a critical moment;
- An resentful family man wants clarity about a will from his beloved mother;
- After a bike accident, a school girl has a question for her former best friend;
- A salary man wants to ask the only woman he ever loved what caused her to run away.
With each reunion, tantalising clues are scattered for readers to piece together the emotional truth behind the go-between.
A runaway bestseller in Japan, Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon is storytelling at its finest, from an international sensation whose work has been hailed as 'strange and beautiful' (Guardian). With an artful balance of heart and mystery, Mizuki Tsujimura creates an unforgettable page-turner in which the living and the dead are given one last chance for closure.
Who would you like to see?