Here’s this week’s question:
A few weeks back we had a question about borrowing books, this week I was wondering what your policy was on lending books. Do you lend books to anyone? Just friends? Only big readers? How long are they allowed to have them?
I’ll be honest here — I have a really hard time lending out my books. It’s not that I’m really possessive of them, persay, but I guess I’m… really possessive of them! My problem is just that when you let folks borrow them, you rarely get them back — or you rarely get them back in the same condition. With some books, that would probably be okay: I let my friends and coworkers borrow them when I’m finished with them, have no intention of re-reading them and know they’ll enjoy them. But if I haven’t yet read the book or I’m concerned about whether I’ll see it again, I’m really not happy about letting them be borrowed.
In the past, I’ve loaned books to friends, fellow students and coworkers — and I’ve gotten some back! Some I haven’t, but that’s okay. I guess if they’re out in the world being enjoyed by someone else, I should be happy. I’ve never put a time limit on the loans, though I have hinted that I’d like them back after a month or two. It’s a very sensitive operation!
write meg! 
Now I am picky about lending books..
Lending books
LikeLike
Hi!
I don’t mind lending a book, but to keep it and never return it is not a very nice thing to do. I would be really upset about that. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
LikeLike
I’m not much of one for lending books either. My favorite books are like good friends, and it hurts too much when they don’t come back.
LikeLike
I am more concerned about the ones that are favorites as well. Others I am a little less possessive of.
LikeLike
about 10 years ago my aunt gave me a book embosser with my name on it. i use it on my books and find that i have a much higher rate of return–but i only lend to family. 🙂 remember what will said, “neither a borrower nor a lender be…”
LikeLike
I lend out books once in a while, but if they come back damaged in any way that person will never get another one from me.
Some books, though, will never leave my house — I’m looking at you, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell!
LikeLike
I lent a book to a neighbor once and she gave it back to me after she’d dropped it into the bathtub!
LikeLike