Do you loan books from your own collection?

I have done this a few times and all times not gotten my books back, needles to say it makes me very reluctant to loan any more books out. I found they they had loaned mine to others and not gotten them back and they are gone. When I borrow things, no matter what it is from someone else I never loan it to another person. I read it or use it then give it back. I don't think anyone, including me has the right to loan out what does not belong to them.

It really depends on the book and the person. I have several copies of Lord of the Rings that have been collected and passed through my family. None of those books will ever leave my shelf, let alone my house. But, if someone wanted to borrow The Giver that has been collecting dust since 8th grade, of course.

If my book is truly one that I really enjoy I won't loan it to anyone unless it's my partner. I don't trust anyone else enough to really give anything back to me. I had a book one time I had read once that I wanted to keep some information out of but I went ahead and loaned it to a friend several years ago. We've stopped talking more or less so I haven't had a chance to ask for it back. I doubt they even have it anymore. Oh well I guess you live and learn.

I make it a point never to lend out of my personal collection of books for the very fear of them never being returned. If people like a book found in my connection I usually just let them know where they can get their own copy.

If I see a book as part of my collection; no I don't loan it out to anyone. My husband has loaned out our books before and the people never returned them. He doesn't loan our books anymore either.

I feel bad about people not returning my books but most of the time, I cannot help it but to lend more eventually. Now, I lost track of some of my collections and I am tired looking for those I lost in bookstores. I am glad they are not that expensive or else, I wont be able or would not buy another copy.

I occasionally loan my books, but I have had some bad experiences, so I am very careful who I let have my books.I have to know the person is trustworthy, although sometimes it backfires any way.

I have loaned my books out and except for two people who were prompt in returning my books....the others never returned them or even if they did after repeated reminder, it was in very bad shape that I'd rather throw it out. I love my books and take good care of them and don't like people being irresponsible with them. So, I've stopped loaning out books....but my husband loans out our books to his friends (none of them who have returned earlier books the've borrowed)...and even my books.

Hi There, Reading is one of my favourite past times. I get so into my books that I love to be able to talk to other people about them. I am also in the havbit of lending them out as I will then have someone with a shared interest and knowldege about the book I like so much. I never really have difficulty getting them back. However, sometimes they come back in poor condition. This becomes distressing and I must admit I get annoyed about it. cheers,

I read alot and I have a lot of friends that do too. I only lend out books that I have read, and it doesnt matter if I get it back or not, but I will not give anyone my favourite ones. They are sacred, and I learned the hard way after lending my SIL one of my favourites and a very valuable one too. She gave it back to me with the cover torn and said my little nephew got it and tore it....So never again!!!!!

wayz12, I am a therapist which means it is necessary that I provide books for people to read from time to time. When I first loan them the book, I make the statement, "I'm happy to loan this book to you for a couple of weeks" about 3 or 4 times, so there is no question that 1--it's a loan, and 2--I expect it back in 2 weeks. Then, when they return for their next session, I ask, "How's the reading going?" I must say that, usually, people do return my books. There have been times, though, that people have kept my books and yes, it does disappoint me. I now purchase many of my professional books "used" (i.e. not new) at Amazon.com. That way, if I don't get them back, I console myself with the fact that I didn't pay full price for them. Sometimes, I give friends and family members my books when I am finished with them, usually, those are novels. Well, take care and hang on to your books. PearlGrace

I have only every loaned a few books - and the one I really want back hasn't come back but I can't remember who I loaned it to...I only remember loaning it to my best friend & I know she gave it back so I have no idea where it is & cant' get another :(

I am usually quite careful about lending books out after having experienced a few non returns. So now I only lend out one at a time and so far this person has returned each one. I always make sure I mention that I would like it back when they've finished with it. So far so good.

yes people are very nice when they borrow a book but mostly do not retain this niceness when returning it. I lend books only to those people who love reading and who are capable of returning it i have lost a few books by lending too...

I love reading as well. I have lent out books in the past but...Now i only lend them to family members they're easier to get them back from. I stopped lending them out after someone i lent books to GAVE them away to someone else informing me that she thought i had too many books and didnt need the ones i lent her back. i was pretty mad at the time and have stopped lending books to friends/co-workers

Yes, as a matter of a fact I have at least one loaned out right now. I don't loan them to anyone, but to people I know that I can trust.

I frequently loan books out. But I never expect to have a loaned book returned. So I dont loan out my favorite copy of HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy, but I have a stack of books from other authors that I gladly part with. I figure if my book gets someone interested in a new subject, or widens their horizons, it was worth the loss of the book.

Well, i feel the same way you do. I'm very particular with my belongings especially books. I see to it that they are back into its own place. Otherwise, i would not be in a good mood in a day or in a passing day unless returned back. However, i don't loan my books anyway. What if you try to bring her into prayer, maybe she will be reminded about it. At least you've done some- thing for her as a friend by means of praying, while she hasn't. Do it make sense to you? It's just a suggestion if it won't bother you. Keep smiling and be happy!