Before his departure, long serving member of staff, John Keane, shared his love of books from a young boy to adulthood.
At the end of last year, we said a fond farewell to Divisional Manager, Libraries and Information Services, John Keane, after 45 loyal years in the council.
Before he headed off on his well-earned retirement we caught up with him to talk about his most memorable moments, including his favourite reads.
For someone who had spent four decades in library services, he has been fortunate enough to meet Roger McGough, Ian Rankin, Sir Paul McCartney, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the late Sir Ken Dodd — whom John had a special affection for. What were John’s Top Ten books?
As part of #LiverpoolReads, we want to share John’s interesting selection in his words:
My top ten books, starting with the one I remember from when I was a child; Five on a Treasure Island, the Enid Blyton books, which I re-read whilst on holiday in Anglesey and also Just William books by Richmal Crompton.
Books that have stayed with me most of my life include JD Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye which I must have read about five times throughout my life, John Fowles’ novel, The Magus — a hefty read but very good.
McCarthy’s bar by Pete McCarthy, is a very funny book and I highly recommend it. Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep — I love all the film noir images in the detective stories.
My favourite Christmas book has to be A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens — what a classic and a few older books, one which is particular funny is A diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith — it’s an absolute holler.
Fredric Brown’s The Screaming Mimi — a brilliant thriller with a twist and finally the Agatha Christie reads. I just thoroughly enjoy the ‘who done it’ books.
Divisional Manager, Libraries and Information Services, John Keane, has retired from the council after 45 years of loyal service.
