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The Broward County Library is the only U.S. library hosting this unique French exhibit, which celebrates the centennial of the noted author. Ruche Kohler and John Chatterton, the divers discussed in the best-selling book Shadow Divers, are headlining the event. A full schedule of speakers will be available shortly from Tara Zimmerman, Literary Events Coordinator for the Florida Center For the Book at (954) 357-7386.

Richie and John discovered the wreck of German U-boat 869, 60 miles off the coast of New Jersey. Both men are recreational divers who never planned on finding something like this. Not only was it a previously undiscovered wreck, it was a complete mystery as to how and why the U-boat had ended up there. The book is one of those true stories that’s chilling enough to be a fictional thriller.

The collaboration of Bluewater Books & Charts, the Florida Center for the Book and the Association of Underwater Explorers is unique in that each organization is doing something that’s outside its normal realm of experience. For Bluewater, the opportunity to work with the Florida Center for the Book is a sign of things to come. We’ll be hosting more literary events and developing relationships with local authors and readers as we expand in other parts of the business, such as our Electronic Navigation Department, as well.

Bluewater has always carried many books and charts for the recreational diver. For wreck locations around Florida, the ISS Waterproof charts are ideal. The ones in the Fish/Dive series include wreck and reef locations and GPS waypoints. They also have some bathymetric data printed on the chart, which enables divers and fishermen to locate dropoffs and ledges, and they’re printed on waterproof paper so they’re easy to use aboard small vessels. For recommendations on diving books, call Bluewater’s book department, tell us where you’re going, and we’ll give you a reading list.

The Florida Center for the Book has hosted several nautical events over the past few years. When Linda Greenlaw’s book The Lobster Chronicles was released, Bluewater teamed up with the Center to host a reading, and the Center was closely involved with the rededication of fictional liveaboard Travis McGee’s slip at Bahia Mar Marina. The Center also offers many creative writing classes, so check with Tara Zimmerman if you’re interested.

The Association of Underwater explorers is a unique group of divers led by Michael C. Barnette, a marine ecologist for the National Marine Fisheries in St. Petersburg, FL. The Association is made up of a small group of recreational wreck divers who work with other groups to explore, research, preserve and protect underwater cultural resources. Barnette has written a book called Shipwrecks of the Sunshine State: Florida’s Submerged History, available from Bluewater.

Bluewater Books & Charts will be at the Library from noon to 5:00 PM on December 3, selling copies of Shadow Divers and other related books. So stop by, check out the exhibit, meet the real-life "Shadow Divers" and buy a book or two.

Mark your calendar! The event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 3, Noon-5:00 PM:

The Broward County Main Library
100 South Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Info Line:
Melanie Neale (954) 763-6533, ex 228
Tara Zimmerman (954) 357-7386

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