Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about lending books...
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?
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 only have a few people in my life who are big readers, so I don't lend out too many. That actually works out well for me because I'm a bit anal about my books, especially those that are dear to me. That being said, I don't mind lending a book to a freind if I think they're actually going to read it. I love telling people about great books I've read and trying to encourage them to read them, but more times than not, they're probably not going to.
When I do lend a book, I allow ample time before I start wondering when I'm going to get the book back. I know people are busy with everyday life and they may not read as much or as often as I do, so I don't want to pester them, but if its been three or four months and it's clear they're not reading it, I'll ask them to return it. Always with the understanding that if they ever do get the time to read it, they are welcome to borrow it again. That just makes it easier for me to keep track of my books. The most avid reader in my life is my boss and he's more anal than I am when lending books. He even had a stamp made with his name, address and phone number that he imprints in the book! He does have a very interesting collection of non-fiction books, so I don't blame him at all. In fact, he told me he has two out on loan currently and its driving him crazy that the borrowers aren't reading them! At least I'm not alone!
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Great response! I also start to wonder if a book isn't returned in a few months. It's good to know I'm not the only one worried about my books!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's much nicer to lend to someone you know is going to read it. I said in my post that a year is pushing it, but I am like you and start wondering about it after just a few months.
ReplyDeleteI feel slightly insulted when people borrow my books and then don't read them. Then I wonder what they were doing with it all that time. Your boss made me laugh...it reminds me of The Library by Sarah Stewart where she meticulously records who borrows books from her and then does a midnight raid to get the books back.
ReplyDeleteI used to lend books to all kinds of people, but after a neighbor messed up one of my books, I'm picky about who I lend my books to.
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