Return Borrowed Books Week: A Gentle Reminder for Book Lovers

If your bookshelf is holding onto a few borrowed books that technically aren’t yours, consider this your friendly nudge—it’s Return Borrowed Books Week! Observed annually during the first full week of March, this week is all about reuniting books with their rightful owners, clearing overdue library loans, and maybe even rekindling friendships with a heartfelt “thank you” (and an apology if necessary).

At Booked & Busy, we know how easy it is to accidentally adopt a book long after you’ve finished reading it. Whether it’s a friend’s favorite novel, a library book that’s lived rent-free on your nightstand, or a book club pick you forgot to return, now is the perfect time to do a little bookish housekeeping.

Let’s talk about why returning borrowed books matters and how to stay organized so you never accidentally hoard a friend’s favorite read again!

Why Return Borrowed Books?

1. It’s Just Good Book Karma: Keeping a borrowed book too long means someone else is missing out on the chance to enjoy it. Whether it’s a personal loan or a library copy, sending books back home means they can continue their journey into new hands.

2. Strengthen Your Bookish Friendships: Books are often borrowed between friends with trust and enthusiasm. Holding onto a book too long (without communication) might send the wrong message. Returning it—along with a kind note or a small bookmark as a thank you—can turn an overdue return into a thoughtful gesture.

3. Declutter Your Space (and Your TBR List): If you’ve had a book for months (or years) and haven’t read it yet, ask yourself: Will I really get to it soon? If the answer is no, it might be time to return it so someone else can enjoy it.

How to Get (and Stay) Organized with Borrowed Books

📌 Create a “Borrowed Books” Tracker

Use your digital planner to log books you borrow and lend. Include:

✔ Title & Author

✔ Borrowed From / Loaned To

✔ Date Borrowed / Due Date

✔ Notes or Reminders

A quick glance at this list can prevent you from forgetting which books need to be returned (or retrieved!).

📌 Set Calendar Reminders: If you borrow from the library, set return dates in your digital planner or phone calendar to avoid overdue fees. If it’s a friend’s book, aim to return it within a reasonable timeframe—two months is a good rule of thumb.

📌 3. Make Returns Fun with a Bookish Treat: Returning books doesn’t have to be a chore! Plan a cozy coffee date with your bookish friend and return their book over lattes. If you’re returning a long-overdue library book, treat yourself to a new read as motivation to stay on top of returns in the future.

Let’s Make Return Borrowed Books Week a Success!

This week is all about keeping the book cycle flowing. If you’ve got borrowed books lying around, take a few minutes to return them and make someone’s day. And if you’re looking for a way to stay on top of book loans, Booked & Busy has digital tools to help you track your reading life effortlessly!