This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy.
I found this notice on the copyright page of something I bought at a recent used book sale. I can’t recall seeing a warning so overtly hostile to book borrowers and hope I never do again. I know about the first sale doctrine, and that this is completely unenforceable, but it still offends me. Should I contact the author for instructions on returning it unread?
If someone who previously purchased the book, no longer wants it…does that mean they should throw it away? That’s a heinous act of violence, in my opinion. Books should be cared for. If you are no longer in a position to preserve that copy, you have an obligation to pass it along to someone who can.