DIVERSIONS

Published March 18th, 2008

Books
By Prudy Taylor Board

Book lovers are in for a treat and owe Lynn University a big thank you. Why? Because Lynn University is bringing Maureen Corrigan, the book critic who appears on National Public Radio’s Peabody-winning program Fresh Air, to Boca Raton.

Corrigan brings to her reviews the perspective of book the author and the critic. She is the author of Leave Me Alone, I’m Reading: Finding and Losing Myself in Books (Random House, 9780375709036) and contributor/associate editor with Robin Winks of Mystery & Suspense Fiction (2 vols., Scribner, 1999), which won an Edgar Award for Criticism from The Mystery Writers of America.

As a professional critic/reviewer, she is a columnist for Book World in The Washington Post and a regular contributor to Newsday. Her reviews and essays have also been published in The Village Voice, The New York Times, The Nation, The New York Observer and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She serves on the Advisory Panel of The New American Heritage Dictionary and as an Advisor to the National Endowment of the Arts' "Big Read" Project.

Interviewed by telephone, she was asked why she thinks book reviews and book sections are disappearing from the pages of many newspapers. “The depressing global answer,” Corrigan said, “is that people are reading less and less literary fiction. In 2005, the National Endowment of the Arts released a survey which revealed that reading is at risk. Especially young adults who no longer read even one book of fiction a year. There just isn’t the demand for it.” There’s a second reason as well. “Papers,” she explained, “are in trouble anyway and the book section doesn’t bring in a lot of advertising revenue.”

She had interesting comments to make as well on why she chose the topic of Women’s Extreme Adventures Tales.  [This discussion focuses on] “what I see as the female version of the classic extreme male adventure tale. I’ve read Into Thin Air (Jon Krakauer, Villard Books, ISBN 0679457526)  and The Perfect Storm ( Sebastian Junger , Little, Brown and Company,  1997 ISBN 0-393-04016-X). Usually a man or a group of men battle the elements and come out bloodied, but unbowed.

“While I was reading The Perfect Storm, I was also reading Anna Quinlan’s Black and Blue in which a woman flees an abusive marriage. I thought maybe there is a version of the extreme adventure tale that is specifically female that takes place within the home.  I started reading the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen and I saw in a lot of those novels that specifically extreme adventure tale in which a woman’s existence is threatened — taking care of six children, taking care of elderly parents, battling her way through the marriage market. In these novels, we see women in extreme situations, sometimes battling for their sanity and their social status.”

Corrigan will make three appearances while in Boca Raton. On Wednesday, March 26, she will speak in the Amarnick-Goldstein Concert Hall on the topic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Women’s Extreme Adventure Tales.”  Thursday she’ll appear at Lynn’s monthly poetry coffeehouse at 6:30 p.m. in the Knight’s Court. (Knight’s Court is on the second floor of the Student center.) Friday she will appear as a special guest panelist for “Palm Beach Reads” at 7 p.m. in the Amarnick-Goldstein Concert Hall.

Prudy Taylor Board’s latest novel, A Grave Injustice, is published by  Archebooks. Go to www.archebooks.com to read an excerpt.

CELEBRATIONS
Helen Babione Birthday

Members and friends of Soroptimist International of Boca Raton / Deerfield Beach celebrated Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by presenting the coveted Laurel Award to founding member Helen Babione, for her dedicated service to her community and Club. It was a duel celebration, as Helen’s birthday was March 14. The 40-plus-year resident of Boca Raton was active in movements to save the Boca Raton beaches from development and assisted in the development of Palm Tram. She is a founding and active member of The Royal Woman’s Club of Boca Raton, and created the “Honor Your Doctor Scholarship Luncheon.” Helen  has helped in the founding of Twin Palms for the Disabled: Visiting Nurses, Horses and the Handicapped and is a very involved member of St. Jude Catholic Church. Friends from many local organizations gave sincere testaments to Helen’s contributions and friendship. 

Cruises
By Michael Coleman

Silver Shadow re-defines luxury cruise travel

Ultra-luxurious travel may not have originated aboard Silver Shadow but the ship’s impeccable standards are re-defining the way passengers luxuriate at sea.

The 382-guest ship, one of four in the Silversea Cruises fleet, has been plying the world’s oceans since 2000 and has served as an elegant, welcome retreat for globe-trotting patrons.

Itineraries span the planet and guests aboard this ship easily, yet unobtrusively, regale each other with stories of quality time spent in Monte Carlo, a hideaway beach in St. Bart’s, or other chic locale. It’s hard to claim bragging rights when fellow shipmates have already been exposed to the world’s best food and drink in cities far and wide.

The civilized ship-board banter, usually over complimentary cocktails around the pool deck, is the norm as opposed to the exception. It is here where stock tips or can’t-miss port information is surrendered.

Discerning travelers have been basking in the glow of the Silver Shadow cruise experience for eight years and nowhere onboard is the stated elegance more noticeable than in one’s suite. Cabins do not exist on this ship. Instead, spacious living accommodations, 80 per cent with furnished, private teak verandahs, serve as a comfortable home-away-from-home for guests.

Suites range in size from 287 square feet (Vista Suites) to 1,435 square feet (Rossellini Suite). Complimentary butler service is provided in the Grand, Royal, Rossellini and Owner's suites.

Each guest enjoys Champagne upon arrival; a beverage cabinet stocked daily on request with a personalized selection of wines, spirits and beverages; fresh fruit and flower arrangements; in-suite personal safe; a remote controlled TV/DVD and VCR with complimentary in-suite movie channels and DVDs; Italian marble bathroom with double vanity, full-sized bath, separate shower and European bath amenities.

Fine bed linens, plush robes and slippers; choice of pillow; spacious wardrobe and full-length mirror; writing desk with personalized stationery; dressing table and hair dryer; twice-daily suite service with turndown every evening; and a daily news summary; round out the many, refined onboard touches.

Those in Medallion, Silver, Royal and Grand accommodations also enjoy a living room - with sofa to accommodate an additional guest; sitting area and dining area; twin beds or queen-sized bed; special chocolate welcome; complimentary laundry service; afternoon canapés upon request; dinner at Officer’s table; multiple remote controlled TV/DVD and VCR with complimentary in-suite movie channels and DVDs; a CD stereo and direct-dial telephones.

Add fine dining, Viking Cooking School classes, golf programs on diverse 2008 itineraries, and exceptional service throughout the ship - a Silversea staple - and it’s easy to see why the line’s roster of repeat guests come calling time and time again.

Healthy pool-side banter between guests will no doubt continue in the months ahead. Regarding Silversea, there’s a lot to talk about.

The line will launch Prince Albert II, an expedition ship, later this year. Departing from London June 12, an inaugural season of 10-to 21-day voyages will focus on polar adventures. Sailing first to the Arctic Circle, Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland for the summer, the ship will then reposition to South America and Antarctica for autumn and winter voyages.

At the end of 2009, Silversea will unveil a new 540-guest ship, the largest in its fleet.