What would you sacrifice to hold on to the ones you love? Grace Walker’s The Merge is a hauntingly imaginative exploration of memory, identity and connection. Join us as we begin a brand new year of Brunch Book Club with this powerful debut — part speculative fiction, part emotional family drama — followed by cocktails and conversation at The Alchemist, St Martin’s Lane.

From the award-winning author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous comes a luminous new novel about unexpected friendship, chosen family and finding beauty in survival. This month, we’ll be diving into Ocean Vuong’s tender, transformative The Emperor of Gladness, then raising a glass (or a sundae!) at The 411 in Angel for a brunch that’s pure good vibes.