Eating Chocolates and Dancing in the Kitchen: Sketches of Marriage and Family

by Tom Plummer

In a few broad strokes, author Tom Plummer has captured the essence of a married couple's life. He does it repeatedly in this delightful collection of sketches certain to keep you laughing even as you are nodding over the truth of the portrayals. Tom Plummer shows us that married life is a dance - sometimes cheek to cheek, sometimes at arm's length - a complicated series of steps and twists and dips in which two people somehow learn to move in harmony.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Marriage

159 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1997

Reviews

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book when it was published, a couple years after my graduation from Brigham Young University where I had taken a class from Tom Plummer and his wife, Louise Plummer. I'm pretty sure I had also taken a German class for my German major from Tom, who was the chair of the Humanities department and a German professor.

The class Tom and Louise taught together was a delightful class on memoir writing. Reading this book put me right back into that class, where they shared some of the stories he ended up putting in the book. I saw the sketches of marriage and family (the subtitle of the book) in live action as they taught together.

I was saddened and reminded of the Plummers when I recently read in BYU magazine that Tom had passed away last fall. So I had to pull out his book and read it again and remember. Now that I've been married for almost 23 years I'm reading it with such a different perspective. Thanks Tom and Louise for reminding me to laugh and to enjoy all the little moments in my marriage!

[Marci Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on CD a few years ago and loved it. It has heart warming stories about love and life. A quote by the author on the back of the book: "just hanging out has become a ritual of our lives. Hanging out means finding a little of Saturday and Sunday and every day of the week, asking even on the worst of days, 'what will we do today for fun?' It is a drive to the mountains, I ride through pretty neighborhoods, and ice cream cone in the park, or hot chocolate and a Danish for breakfast while others are moving and shaking the world. Hanging out means loving life and the person you're with."

[Carrie Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud and cried a little, too. This book shows what a fun, full life Tom and Louise built together. Their stories are warm, funny, and so real.

Even though they’ve both passed, it felt like spending time with them again. They were truly delightful people, and this book is a sweet reminder of who they were.

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like it tried too hard after the first couple of chapters.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased as a gift for newlyweds but presented to parents for 52nd anniv; would be meaningless to newlyweds. This is excellent for correct audience.

[Stephanie Pixton Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short memoir includes the light and the funny, the deep and the dull of marriage and parenthood. The best chapters were the funny stories.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, funny essays on life, kids, and marriage by BYU English professor Tom Plummer. I have heard both he and his wife Louise speak, and they are both crack-ups! It is easy to dislike Louise as she is portrayed in his stories--I think she must be nearly impossible to live with! But what I love about this book is that despite her cynicism, Tom is obviously in love with her and a wholly devoted husband. I got that sense from hearing them speak as well. They both know how to deflate the pressures of real life with humor.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this may be the cutest memoirs-of-a-husband I've ever read (ignore the fact that it's probably the only memoirs-of-a-husband I've ever read, either, because that detracts from how sweet it is). And I think one of the things I like most about it is the fact that the author is an engineering or economics professor or something, and his wife is a professional writer. The fact that he's trying his hand at her profession makes it all the more endearing.

[Keegan Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Plummer was a professor who taught my Imagination and Memoirs class when I was a sophomore in college. He was a wonderful professor and he shared some of his writing from this book with us. Also, as it turns out, his wife is a young adult author whose work I've read (only since taking that class and finding out that she was famous). I probably enjoyed this book from the personal, if very minor, connection to the Plummers. I connected with some of his vignettes on a personal level, as well.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect "spice up life" book- or maybe sweeten up life would be more accurate.
Made me smile, and chuckle several times. Liked the essays involving table settings- aesthetics. The small business start-ups sounded so adventurous from the mouth of a German professor. The conversation with a roofer was a hilarious crowning moment.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short essays about marriage that my wife and I listened to when we were first married. Fun to hear once, not great enough to hear over and over again. Just sounded a little too cliche.

Listened to this one as an audiobook. While the author writes well, an professional should have recorded it. He comes across as dry without much tone variation or excitement.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

We got this for a wedding present. When we finally got around to reading it, we loved it. Real life experiences written so well. Really helps to see how different people can still have a fantastic marriage. We refer to jokes in this book often. Now we give this away for weddings too!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The short stories in this book just make me laugh. I plan to read it again soon.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

We got this as a wedding present and we read it every so often. It's hilarious. Great to read together with your husband. (Kurt also took some classes from the author at BYU.)

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Tom Plummer is funny and I love the way he tells stories. This book made me happy.

[Niesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun short stories. Very sweet.

[Phyllisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books to read. Doesn't take very long and helps me remember what's important.

[angelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and Funny. I laughed out loud a few times. It's a good one to read with your hubby. Thanks for suggesting it, Tara.

[Joshlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book. For some reason "good read" has it only listed as a cassette. Anyway, it was a short, quick collection of essays on love and life. Very funny and endearing.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like these short stories on marriage and family life.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short essays on marriage. I had a creative writing class from Louise (author's wife), and she is so delightful and funny. He is too!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny, and true, look at marraige! Entertaining.

[Malina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful book by a delightful man. This couple cracks me up and inspires me.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witty and lighthearted. Not sappy.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think these "sketches" of marriage are even more enjoyable knowing the author. He's a good teacher and I can definitely relate to many of the scenarios as well.