The myth of the banana heart inspires twelve-year old Nenita: she will appease her family's hunger and win her violent mother's love. As she cooks and eats, or

In her lush, luminous debut novel, Merlinda Bobis creates a dazzling feast for all the senses. Richly imagined, gloriously written, Banana Heart Summer is an in

In this “witty, perceptive novel”, a young woman moves to Tokyo and encounters the world of university enrollment and impending adulthood (Elle). Banana Yos

A FINALIST FOR THE NEW ENGLAND BOOK AWARD FOR NON FICTION A PASTE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR ONE OF TIMEOUT NEW YORK’S BEST SUMMER BEACH READS OF 2017 ONE OF REAL

“A grab bag of summer flavors and dishes . . . Think of van Boven as the activities director of your own culinary summer camp.” —The New York Times The au