Is it rude to lend a book and then ask for it back?
Guilty
The short answer
No, a lent book is still yours and asking for it back after a few months is reasonable. Writing in it is a separate offense.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-00712
The friend who lent the book v. The friend who kept it
Filed 10/06/2026
- Plaintiff
- The friend who lent the book
- Defendant
- The friend who kept it
Statement of claim
I lent her my favorite novel last October. When I asked for it back she said I was being petty. When she finally returned it, she had underlined half of it in blue pen.
Charge
Keeping a lent novel for one year and underlining it in blue pen
Judgment
Guilty
Friend found guilty of keeping a novel for a year and underlining it in pen
Sentence
The defendant will buy the plaintiff a new copy of the same edition within two weeks and keep the underlined one.
How the court usually rules on this
The court treats books like any other loan. A few months is a normal reading period; a year is not. Marking a borrowed book in pen is treated as damage, and the court usually orders a replacement copy rather than the return of the marked one, at the owner's choice.
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