
This post is the caveat to yesterday's post.
As mentioned yesterday, there's a certain, unspoken protocol to borrowing a book, whether it's from a friend, family member, or the library. And sometimes, these unspoken boundaries can vary from person to person. So here are 7 tips for borrowing books from another person.

Tip 1: Ask what their boundaries are.
Yes, there are the unspoken rules of not dog-earing another's book, or not writing in it. But just double-check what their boundaries are. It's better to be safe rather than sorry.
Tip 2: Return the book in the condition it was initially borrowed.
If the book comes with a dust jacket, return the book with the dust jacket. Don't dog-ear the pages, write in the book, or anything else. If you want to take notes on the book, either for remembering specific quotes or for remembering specific scenes, use a notebook or a document.
Tip 3: Return the book in a timely fashion.
Returning the book within a good amount of time. We all understand that things happen, life happens. So if you can't, for whatever reason, let the lender know that you'll get them their book as soon as possible.

Tip 4: If something happened to the book during the time you borrowed it, be honest about it.
As mentioned in Tip 3, we all understand that things like accidents happen. If an accident happens, be honest about it. In most cases, the lender will understand if you're honest about what happened. Maybe even offer to buy the person a new copy.
Tip 5: Be willing to talk about the book once you're finished with it and return it to its owner.
You don't have to talk for hours upon hours about the book, but at least be willing to talk about the book for a little bit. That way, you can see what the lender thought about the book, what you thought about the book. There is also the possibility that you can better understand the book - either a couple of scenes in it or the entire book - by discussing it with the lender.
Tip 6: Use a bookmark at all times.
As mentioned in Tip 2, you should return the book in the condition it was given to you. That means no dog-earing the pages, no matter how much you love doing it. So use a bookmark. And if you don't have a bookmark easily accessible, use something like a receipt, tissue, or piece of scrap paper.
As mentioned in Tip 2, you should return the book in the condition it was given to you. That means no dog-earing the pages, no matter how much you love doing it. So use a bookmark. And if you don't have a bookmark easily accessible, use something like a receipt, tissue, or piece of scrap paper.
Tip 7: When in doubt, treat the book like you would treat a library book.
If you're not entirely sure about what the lender does or doesn't want done with their book, treat it like a library book. That way, you're not doing any harm.
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