Ex Libris
- Thread starter NoJo
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MagicaPractica
Alchemist
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glynndah said:No, just totally naive to think that will help.
Precisely, though I have put address labels on movies I lent to friends.
You can also purchases book plates.
Edward Teach
Mellow
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Sub Joe said:
I usually get told, "I returned that a while back. Don't you remember?" or "You didn't lend that to me, did you? I think you have me mixed up with someone else."
My son is the worst, too.
Probably takes after his dad
JamesSD
Back, at least for now?
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It's not unreasonable to put some sort of marking, say on the inner cover, that would remind people minimally who they borrowed it from.
Your other option is to keep a list of who borrowed what from you, and gently remind them when they still have a book. Minimally this lets you keep track of who the worst offenders are for not returning books, and prevents you from giving out more.
Your other option is to keep a list of who borrowed what from you, and gently remind them when they still have a book. Minimally this lets you keep track of who the worst offenders are for not returning books, and prevents you from giving out more.
Lauren Hynde
Hitched
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It makes you silly! Once they're marked "Ex" libros and lent to someone else, you should no longer be calling them "my" books.Sub Joe said:
NoJo
Happily Marred
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yui said:Loan me something. Let't try this out. I mean, there is the Atlantic between us but I think I would try for the "in person thing". <cough>
Hi, Joe. Be nice to me. You love me.
Yes, I suppose you could say I "love" you, in one sense of the word. I'd quite enjoy lending you a book, if you promised to sit on it.
NoJo
Happily Marred
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Of course I like you lots. Even if I didn't like you, that wouldn't really stop me anyway.yui said:You know, I had a professor say the same thing to me in college ... "Just sit on it, Yui ...."
And then, one time, at Band Camp ....
Edited to add you still like me lots.
yui
A Different Scene
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Nope. It wouldn't stop you and you still don't use emoticons. I think I'm drawn to you more because you never apologize for what you "might" mean. Gawd I miss the "Joe and Carson and, mebbe, Yui Days". You were fun to play with.Sub Joe said:
carsonshepherd
comeback kid
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yui said:Iyou, but, "what when"?
<cough>
Type more slowly.
Oh, Yui, wow. I was just wondering about you, and wishing you well. Hope you heard me
bluebell
brownie-hearted meanie
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I get fed up with all that. I'm much too possessive, even if I bought my books used.Sub Joe said:
Most people I talk to just want to read the latest New York Times bestsellers anyway (and I respect that, but don't dig it personally), so it's rare that I find someone who not only wants a recommendation, but will even go so far as to want to borrow it from me.
So usually, instead of inducing bookoidal empty nest syndrome or simmering annoyance, I'll actually buy the bloody book for whomever it is.
Most of the time the buying intersects with a presenty-type situation anyway. Then they can do what they want with it (paperweight, what-have-you) and I'm free from the obligations of my soul to let this person know about this really rockin' book.
In short, I don't think it makes you snotty. And a little bit of guilt is always good, eh?
BlackShanglan
Silver-Tongued Papist
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Mmmm. Yui.
oggbashan
Dying Truth seeker
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As a retired secondhand bookdealer, all I can say is that most of my book search requests came from people who had lent out treasured books and they had not been returned. A few came from poeple who had borrowed a book and damaged it or lost it.
It doesn't matter what message you put in or on the book. Nothing works except chaining the book to the library shelf. Even then the pictures might be cut out.
If someone asks to borrow a book, either give it to them, buy them another copy, or say "no". That way your friendship will endure. Loaning a book can end a friendship.
Og
It doesn't matter what message you put in or on the book. Nothing works except chaining the book to the library shelf. Even then the pictures might be cut out.
If someone asks to borrow a book, either give it to them, buy them another copy, or say "no". That way your friendship will endure. Loaning a book can end a friendship.
Og
Chantilyvamp
Confidently Neurotic!
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I have a friend who said she was going to tag all her books with a special alarm. The alarm could be set off with a little remote control similar to a key finder. When another couple friends of ours did not return them, we would make sure to visit their houses, set the alarm off and collect up the books. 
Never happened but it was a novel idea.
Never happened but it was a novel idea.
Salvor-Hardon
A kiss is still a kiss
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Norman Bethune --- "This book belongs to Norman Bethune and his friends".
Somewhere in my quote file is an attribution to Samuel Johnson saying 'The greatest man I ever met had inscribed in his books 'this book belongs to ... and his friends' but I can't confirm that from Bartlett's
Somewhere in my quote file is an attribution to Samuel Johnson saying 'The greatest man I ever met had inscribed in his books 'this book belongs to ... and his friends' but I can't confirm that from Bartlett's
CeriseNoire
Sweet 'n Tangy
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Well, these days, I only have two friends who'll read anything other than 'chicklit' or "Tits and Asses Magazine". Both of them work with me, so it's easy enough to nag if need be. Additionally, we tend to trade rather than borrow.
Generally speaking, if I know a particular book can't be easily replaced (like many of my French books), or has some sentimental value, it's likely I simply won't lend it out. My other books go out with my knowledge that I may not see them again.
Generally speaking, if I know a particular book can't be easily replaced (like many of my French books), or has some sentimental value, it's likely I simply won't lend it out. My other books go out with my knowledge that I may not see them again.
dr_mabeuse
seduce the mind
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Why don't you try smearing animal feces on your books (or do you spell it faeces?)? You can get anti-theft feces(/faeces) at The Sharper Image for $39.95 a 5-lb. bag.
You can also use feces in lieu of a document shredder. You take the documents you wish to protect and put them in a plastic sack and drop in several feces. Attach an attention-getting label that says, "WARNING! CONTAINS FECES!" and identity thieves and document snoops will be significantly deterred. The effect is enhanced if you add some liquid to the bag. This increases the so-called "squick" factor. The technique has the advantage of saving the earth's ozone.
Well, back to the lab.
You can also use feces in lieu of a document shredder. You take the documents you wish to protect and put them in a plastic sack and drop in several feces. Attach an attention-getting label that says, "WARNING! CONTAINS FECES!" and identity thieves and document snoops will be significantly deterred. The effect is enhanced if you add some liquid to the bag. This increases the so-called "squick" factor. The technique has the advantage of saving the earth's ozone.
Well, back to the lab.
