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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Joe
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 1
Do not buy these
Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13
These are terrible. They are designed to walk in. The first day I tried them on I walked about 20 steps and they basically ripped right off my feet. I didn’t think much of it and just thought ok I won’t walk in them I’ll just wear them to bed. The second pair that came with the order I wore to bed that night and woke up with holes tore in them. Terrible product
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Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Kevin
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Durable
Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13
These are form-fitting and durable. Wearing these keeps the skin moisturizer in place so it can be effective.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2026
K
KN
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Results
Color: White, Size: Women 9-13, Color: White, Size: Women 9-13
The Jfrhuds Moisturizing Silicone Socks work very well. I ordered the white 2-pack in the large size 9-13, and each came packaged in an individual zipper bag.  I wear a women's size 9-9.5, and they fit me perfectly.  I can see how they have enough stretch to fit larger sizes easily and comfortably. These socks are a lot thicker and heavier than I expected.  They are rubbery with non-slip treads on the bottom.  As soon as I put them on my feet, they actually felt very moisturizing and almost wet, even though I had not put moisturizer on my feet first.  Plus my feet felt cold at first. It was different than I expected, I had never worn this type of sock before, and it was an interesting sensation. They work great, and I am sold on the benefits of these socks.  I wear them to sleep at night and dodn't walk very far in them.  They seem pretty sturdy, but I don't want to push it and will just use them for their intended purpose.  My feet weren't super dry or cracked, but the socks really helped revive them and make them super soft again.  I love them; they are great for self-care and would also make a wonderful gift. 
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Michael S. Johnson
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 1
Not durable
Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13
Only used two of them so far. One sock lasted nearly 3 wears. The other broke before I could finish wearing it the second time. Basically useless junk.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2026
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annette rainville
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 4
Thick Silicone Moisturizing Socks
Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13, Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13
★★★★☆ Thick Silicone Moisturizing Socks I ordered these silicone moisturizing socks to try for dry heels. Unlike typical fabric spa socks, these are made entirely of soft silicone and are noticeably thicker and very stretchy. When I first took them out of the package there was a visible fold line in the silicone. It appears to be from how they were folded in the packaging rather than a defect in the material. The silicone itself feels durable and flexible. The design works like a full silicone sleeve that traps moisturizer against your skin. I applied Aquaphor first and then slid these on so the moisture stays in contact with the skin longer. One thing I noticed right away is that the silicone feels cool when you first put them on, which is actually pretty comfortable. The bottoms have a zig-zag textured pattern that gives some grip if you need to stand briefly, though these seem better for relaxing while moisturizer absorbs rather than walking around much. The ankle opening is the tightest part of the sock. It stretches, but it’s noticeably snug compared to the rest of the silicone, which helps keep them from sliding off. For sizing reference, I wear a women’s 7.5–8 shoe and the size Large fits comfortably. There’s plenty of stretch and I can wiggle my toes easily, so they should accommodate larger feet as well. They’re also easy to clean. After using them you can simply wash them with soap and water and let them dry completely before storing or using them again. Overall these appear well made with thick silicone and plenty of stretch. If you use moisturizing socks or heel treatments, these work well for keeping lotion in place while your feet absorb it. Since this set comes with two pairs for about $10, the price seems pretty reasonable for something reusable like this.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2026

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