SKU: 39946922616

Notes on a Banana: A Memoir of Food, Love, and Manic Depression

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Notes on a Banana: A Memoir of Food, Love, and Manic DepressionA 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 SIMPLE'S 25 FATHER'S DAY BOOKS THAT COVER ALL OF DAD'S INTERESTS The stunning and long awaited memoir from the beloved founder of the James Beard Award winning website Leite's Culinaria a candid, courageous, and at times laugh out loud funny story of family, food, mental illness, and sexual

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 SIMPLE'S 25 FATHER'S DAY BOOKS THAT COVER ALL OF DAD'S INTERESTS

The stunning and long-awaited memoir from the beloved founder of the James Beard Award-winning website Leite's Culinaria--a candid, courageous, and at times laugh-out-loud funny story of family, food, mental illness, and sexual identity.

Born into a family of Azorean immigrants, David Leite grew up in the 1960s in a devoutly Catholic, blue-collar, food-crazed Portuguese home in Fall River, Massachusetts. A clever and determined dreamer with a vivid imagination and a flair for the dramatic, "Banana" as his mother endearingly called him, yearned to live in a middle-class house with a swinging kitchen door just like the ones on television, and fell in love with everything French, thanks to his Portuguese and French-Canadian godmother. But David also struggled with the emotional devastation of manic depression. Until he was diagnosed in his mid-thirties, David found relief from his wild mood swings in learning about food, watching Julia Child, and cooking for others.

Notes on a Banana is his heartfelt, unflinchingly honest, yet tender memoir of growing up, accepting himself, and turning his love of food into an award-winning career. Reminiscing about the people and events that shaped him, David looks back at the highs and lows of his life: from his rejection of being gay and his attempt to "turn straight" through Aesthetic Realism, a cult in downtown Manhattan, to becoming a writer, cookbook author, and web publisher, to his twenty-four-year relationship with Alan, known to millions of David's readers as "The One," which began with (what else?) food. Throughout the journey, David returns to his stoves and tables, and those of his family, as a way of grounding himself.

A blend of Kay Redfield Jamison's An Unquiet Mind, the food memoirs by Ruth Reichl, Anthony Bourdain, and Gabrielle Hamilton, and the character-rich storytelling of Augusten Burroughs, David Sedaris, and Jenny Lawson, Notes on a Banana is a feast that dazzles, delights, and, ultimately, heals.

--No Real Simple, 25 Father's Day Books That Cover All of Dad's Interests Real Simple, 25 Father's Day Books That Cover All of Dad's Interests

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Dey Street Books
Published: 01/16/2018
ISBN: 9780062414380
Pages: 384
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.30w x 1.10d
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SKU: 39946922616

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Lindap
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 4
Good for Teething puppies
Color: Teething Stick
After getting my fingers chewed and bitten by my new foster - 8 week old Yorkie , I was desperate to find good teething toys. Fortunately this one arrived quickly. Turned out to be very good for teething puppies! Charlie loves this cooling stick. Once it’s frozen, the cold really seems to soothe his sore gums. The icy part doesn’t stay frozen for long, but it works so well that I bought a second one to keep ready in the freezer while he’s working on the first. Even after it warmed up, he still enjoyed chewing on the soft stuffed part and the tentacles. The product card says not to use it as a chew toy, so supervision is a must, but it held up just fine so far. Overall, this has been a big help during the teething phase — short-lived when frozen, but very effective while it lasts! And worth every penny to save my fingers from being a chew toy.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2025
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Amanda Rogers
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
From Puppy Teething to Adult Favorite – 7 Years Later
Color: Teething Stick, Color: Teething Stick
This has been one of the best toys I’ve ever bought! My dog has loved the Pupstages Cool Teething Stick since she was a tiny puppy, and now at 7 years old, it’s still one of her absolute favorites. It’s been amazing for soothing teething when she was little, and now she still enjoys chewing on it and carrying it around. It’s held up surprisingly well over the years, especially considering how much use it’s gotten. I also love that you can cool it for extra relief—it really helped during those puppy stages. If you’re looking for a toy that lasts and actually becomes a long-term favorite, this is definitely it. Highly recommend for both puppies and even older dogs who still love a good chew! 🐶
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026
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Stefne
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for little dogs that like to chew
Color: Hedgehog
Great for my 10 lb chihuahua that loves to chew! Keeps his teeth clean!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2026
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pgm
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Cute Fun Puppies Love it Immediately Good Price
Color: Teething Stick
This little top was a huge success for my active Multipoo! She started playing with it immediately. I think it will become her favorite toy! It isn't expensive. It is well made and very cute!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2026
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Angel Harrison
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
My puppy loves it
Color: Teething Stick
It's cute and a good size for my chihuahua puppy. It seems to be slightly tearing at the seam in the middle, but hopefully it will hold up.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026

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