TO LOAN OR NOT TO LOAN – ok

I have a large collection of books. They are precious to me and they are my passion. I have a room with wall to wall book shelves. I have been collecting books for years. For a long time I never wanted to loan a book since I was worried I wouldn’t get them back.

Lately I decided that I was being selfish so I started to loan my books. Anyhow this week a friend brought back two of my books. She had them all winter. I was so upset and ready to cry. The cover of one of the books was torn and held together with scotch tape. The other book just looked worn out. So I did loan her two more books but after they come back NO MORE! I will just be honest and tell people I do not loan my books. They are too precious to me. I want my books to look like new.

Tomorrow I start going on the treadmill because I must try to get my sugar and blood pressure down. I will start off with 40 minutes and then maybe in a few weeks go to an hour.

I am still not eating after supper. I might have lost a pound. It’s hard to tell on a bathroom scale. It doesn’t matter because at least I am not eating so much junk.

I am planning a trip to Winnipeg at the end of May. My mother went there from Europe so I want to at least see the city she lived in even though it was a short time. I hope to visit a cousin there. I am also traveling with two cousins and another cousin will be there at the same time. I have to find a cheap ticket and hotel. I will probably use points from our Visa card. We will also rent a car. Everything will be split three ways so that will cut down on expenses.

We have no plans for tomorrow except for supper tonight. I am going to have to start making plans as I am getting bored staying home. I am sleeping a lot and doing nothing.

This evening, however, I practiced my accordion and then painted a little. It is very relaxing.

So another day is over. It’s already ten so will go to bed soon.

Lily47

April 17, 2009

I hate lending books. I sometimes buy a copy from the second hand bookstore and give that to the person instead. (eg. my sister) I had a friendship that was never the same after my friend kept a book for months and returned it to me with the spine broken and the pages falling out.

Zenith

Sad but true.. many people just dont seem to respect loaned books or return them.. they figure you have already read them so what’s the problem. I agree it makes me feel selfish if I dont .. but it makes me feel worse when they are wrecked or lost.. AND I get crazy with people who tell me I am silly paying for them but then ask to borrow them!

That’s too bad about the books. Since you have so many books I am wondering which books you prize the most. And is there a series you like and would recommend?

The Short One

I am so sorry to hear that your books came back to you damaged. I do have a few books that I lend out to co-workers, but I like you, get them back damaged or not at all. People don’t seem to care about things they borrow – it is sad. Good luck and don’t feel selfish – they are yours and you deserve to enjoy them. 🙂

lookinagain

April 18, 2009

ryn: yes the 3 that I have are long term placements I concider mine..and am taking a new person just for about a week. Deciding if it is what I wanna do in the future.

Joanna Maguire

I do not usually lend my books either BUT when I visit my childrens places in different states It is amazing how many of my books are on their book shelves Borrowed without my knowledge

TheWoodsprite

I wouldn’t loan any more books to a person who brought my books back torn and tattered-looking. But I do loan books to people who take care of them. hugs, Weesprite

That Jones Thing

I’ve lost track of the amount of books I’ve lent and never gotten back. Nice hardcover books of one of my fav authors at the time (not so much now) and others that I really could have used when my kids were toddlers and growing up (the “what to expect” series). I have to admit….in university I was dating a man who loved to read and he would lend me books that I would read and return. Onetime he pointed out that I always returned the books with the spines broken and the corners of the pages bent down (where I’d mark my spot if I put the book down for a bit). Until he pointed it out…I’d never realized I was doing it and never realized that it meant so much or could mean so much to somebody. I was ALOT more careful and respectful after that…even with my own books. Perhaps they don’t appreciate or realize how important they are to you.

You can’t take them with you. Loan your books. Keep your most “sentimental” ones private. Loan the others. Your books will make people smile, think, contemplate, learn and be affected by the writing or by the art that is inside of them. Take a risk. Loan some more books.