Be a book borrower - but beware a lender being

Much as being lent good books is great, you take a big risk when you let your own out of your sight.

Watch out who gets their hands on your library

Mr Heber, a Victorian chap, claimed that a gentleman needs at least three copies of each book: a show copy for one's country house, a copy for one's own use and reference, and a third "at the service of his friends". I am not a gentleman, I don't have a country house, and I don't have triplicate copies of every book I own, but Mr Heber has a...