[Conversations #4] My Rules for Potential Book Borrowers

07:16 Cilla 11 Comments

Conversations is a new meme created by Geraldine and Joan to encourage more discussions in the book blogging community. Every fortnight, they post a question to respond to. Every fortnight, they post a question to respond to. I thought it would be fun and I'm looking forward to read everyone's response!

Today, the topic is: What are do’s and don’ts for someone who wants to borrow your books?

My level of chill when it comes to people borrowing my books really depends on the person. Some friends are not bookworms, and while I may adore them as a person, I will be very impatient about lending them any of my books. Friends whom I know to be readers have more of my trust, because I know they'll look after my precious copies with the same care they give their own books. So in that regards, I don't have a strict time frame in mind before I ask for my books back. As long as the borrower doesn't lose my book, we are good.

Even if someone lost my book, I'd be appeased as soon as they bought me a new copy. However, for fear of the possibility that someone might lose my book, I'm a little choosy about what I will be willing to lend out. Hardcovers and special editions are very unlikely to leave my shelves.

The main rule for someone who wants to borrow my book is this: you must give it back in the same exact condition the book was in when I gave it to you.

My books are not pristine. Some of them may be a little creased or discoloured. Some might look a little worn because they're secondhand books to begin with. Some has even had its corners eaten by termites. (My heart breaks a little bit every time I think of the horror that was termite infestation in my book cases, but that's another story). The point is, they're not perfect and that's fine with me. What wouldn't be fine with me is if they come back looking even worse for the wear.

In conclusion, be my friend and someone who loves and takes good care of books, then you can borrow my books. That's not difficult, right??

Are you picky about who you lend your books to?

What are your rules for people who wants to borrow your books?

11 comments:

Geraldine @ Corralling Books2 July 2016 at 18:02
Mmm, I think that summary you gave was perfect! I can be a bit hypocritical about my bookcare sometimes too, definitely - but it is pretty much just manners to return it in exactly the same way that you got it! :)
I'd say I'm pretty picky about who I lend it to, just because of that. Some people, I absolutely know cannot be trusted to return it to me in a good condition - so I avoid borrowing my best books to them. Others are just really good with it - so I don't mind passing books onto them!
Cee R @ Dora Reads2 July 2016 at 20:26
Readers def. generally take better care of borrowed books than the less bookish!
paperbackprincess3 July 2016 at 10:27
I like the way you put this! I feel very uncomfortable about giving away special editions or especially hardcovers, because that puts the spin at a greater risk of being cracked! *shutters*
Gabriella Morales5 July 2016 at 02:39
Oh noooooooo, termites. They're a huge pain in the ass and just yucky. And I agree, it must be in the same condition it was when I gave it to you. (If you're lucky enough for me to let you borrow it in the first place.) Great post!
Girls That16 July 2016 at 19:50
After many hard lessons learnt, I've decided I have only one friend I can lend my books to :( at my old job, I lent 3 people books and I've never seen them again. So frustrating! Another time someone gave me a book back that was in way worse condition than I gave it- I've just decided people can go to the library (not mine!).
-Althea
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction10 August 2016 at 08:09
I have two kids who sometimes read my books and it takes all of my inner strength not to stress over what they're doing to them. I want them to enjoy them, so I don't want to be crazy about it - but it pains me sometimes to see them eating their cereal and dripping milk onto the book!

Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction