Thanks for your comments, Eva.

As I wrote in an earlier post, I’ve given up lending books because I can’t bear the nervous tension of wondering when – if ever – I’ll get them back. Nowadays it’s give away or not at all (and if I inadvertantly lend a book I try to replace it so I can pretend I’ve given it away). I have one borrowed book – not a library book – on my shelves at present and I worry about not having returned it too.

Some books received as presents or bought at a special time also carry with them the imprint of the person who gave them or the events that surround their acquisition. I just took a quick look along the shelf of poetry books I brought with me from Sweden and I can see a couple like that – my copy of TS Eliot’s Poetry and Plays that I bought with my first week’s pay packet from my first job in 1976, and my copy of The Rattle Bag anthology that my sister gave me when I graduated as a teacher and that I lent to (and got back from!) a Zimbabwean exchange student when I was teaching in Sundsvall. Her address is inside on the flyleaf.

I’m glad you liked the questionnaire. I may write another later on if I think of a good topic and then I’ll run it all together on one day to see if I reach as many people.

I hardly ever lend or give away books, I know how I will feel later. Instead I by a new copy and give away. I did it once (gave a book away) but immediately ordered a new one and was very worried before I got it because it was written by another member of “Egenutgivarna” and not awailable at the bookstores. And it was one of the best books I have read. No, will not do that again.

As for old books, I would not dream of parting from them. I once got a small Childrens book from a german friend and every time I see it in the bookshelf I feel bad. His book from his childhood. I have, of course, asked him if he wants it back but he says no. Guess all people are not the same.

But John, please make new questionnaries! Preferably on wednesdays 🙂