What the hell is
The Copper Clapper Caper?

This come-one, come-all group of book reviewers was assembled by Jim Stasiowski as a way to discuss what each of us is reading, was reading, regrets reading or loves reading. There are no rules regarding length, genre or qualifications. (Haven’t we had enough rules in this pandemic?) And please, don’t be bashful. Even if you’ve never written for publication, you’re welcome here among an eclectic, friendly group. Remember, everyone has an opinion, and opinions are fun. The April 13, 2020, email from Jim that started the whole thing explains it. The referred to video is embedded below.

Hello, Everyone,

Jim Stasiowski here, and I have discovered the cure for the coronavirus.

(If you have gotten as far as this line in the message, you are a bigger chump than I thought. How could I ever discover anything of value? I barely discover my pants in the morning.)

But I do have an idea that may ease our mutual forced boredom, sometimes referred to as “shelter in place,” sometimes as “social distancing,” sometimes as “just another lazy day of retirement.”

I call my idea “The Copper Clapper Caper.”

I pause now for private reminiscences by “Tonight Show” fans old enough to remember the Johnny Carson-Jack Webb skit from 1968. For the rest of you, here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYbogp1Ha0

Granted, “The Copper Clapper Caper” title has nothing at all to do with my idea. I just enjoy the name, the skit and Jack Webb’s imitation of a talking corpse.

My idea is based on the supposition that most (and probably all) of you are book readers. Sharon and I certainly are, and since the onset of shelter-in-place restrictions, we have set aside time every afternoon for reading whatever book we are into. That set-aside time is so uplifting, at the end of it, we hit the booze.

It occurred to me that most (and probably all) of you are reading more than usual. It also occurred to me that shelter-in-place may never end. Thus, we should find some safe means of escape that does not infuriate New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

I propose that we start a revolving book-review email correspondence. Some of the books we read are excellent, some are awful, most fall in between. But when I finish books, I write, for my own amusement, reviews of them.

I started doing reviews a couple of years ago when Sharon and I went to the memorial service for Leon Bennett, husband of Sharon’s cousin Doris. At that service, I found out that Leon, a brilliant, fun guy and also a devoted reader, had written reviews of all the books he read, and I thought, “Why in the world haven’t I thought of doing that?”

I never intended for anyone else to read my reviews, but starting now, as I finish a book, I shall send my review of it to all of you. I hope that you will send to me, and to everyone else on this mailing list, your review of each book as you finish it.

The reviews can be short, such as “What rubbish!” or so long that neither I nor anyone else will read the whole thing. The only “rule” is that the review must be shorter than the book.

For the sake of background, I read about 50-50 fiction and nonfiction. I love biographies, but any nonfiction is likely to at least tempt me. In fiction, I avoid fantasy and science fiction or anything whose summary on the dust jacket includes either “dystopian” or “post-apocalyptic.” I have a soft spot for crime novels, especially the Spenser series by Robert B. Parker and the Martin Beck series by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo.

However, do not be put off by my preferences and dislikes; all books have something to say, and your review may nudge someone on the mailing list to read, or avoid, the one you just finished. If you’re anything like me – my condolences, if that’s the case – you simply enjoy writing or reading reviews.

I’ve never been a member of a book club; regimented literacy sounds too much like boot camps and bed checks. But I’m hoping we can reach two goals: (1) the excitement of checking the email inbox for something other than news alerts about what Andrew Cuomo just said; and (2) getting recommendations about books from people I respect (and, in some cases, even like).

Participate, don’t participate, it’s up to you. Petition me (complete with signed and notarized excuses written by three adults living in the United States or its Territories) if you wish me to remove you from the mailing list. Let me know if my mailing list has missed anyone living in the United States or its Territories. If no one else ever writes a review, well, I won’t be crushed. But think of it this way: If I help in even a very small way at keeping you occupied while you’re sheltered in place, well, maybe I will have discovered the cure for the coronavirus.