The book bore markings from the City of Portsmouth Public Libraries, but Davies took it home, intending to read the tome and return it to the library.
"As an avid reader, there was no way I was going to return the book until I had read it -- which I did, and thoroughly enjoyed. But the one thing I never got around to doing was taking it to the library," Davies said in a letter to the Portsmouth City Council.
Davies said she decided to mail it back to the library when she rediscovered it on a shelf while decluttering her home in London.
She said the book had moved with her numerous times over the past 64 years.
Davies wrote that she had been concerned about fines incurred by the person who originally checked the book out and lost it at the side of the road, but she was heartened to hear Portsmouth had eliminated late fees.
"I'm delighted Jill has got in contact with us to return the book, and I hope this story inspires others to rediscover their library and not be afraid of any previous fines," said Portsmouth Councilor Ben Dowling, City Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development.
