So here is my issue....I am the one who has posted several times about books for soldiers.  I am currently doing my second round of collecting books for the soldiers.  In my first round I received a TON of romance books from PBS members.  I sent out what I could...but romance books just are not that requested due to there being so few female soldiers.  So now I have all of these romance books that are just sitting on a shelf not being used...and I hate that because they were meant to support the soldiers.  So I thought about posting the books on here and offering a deal on them and then using the credits I earn to purchase requested books for the soldiers.  Such as more recent sci-fi books and war/spy type books that are very popular.  I just don't want people to think I am turning around and using donated books for my personal gain.  I thought I would put this out there and see what y'all thought since the people of PBS where the ones who donated the books or see if anybody had any better suggesstions! 

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings!! :) JL

If you send an email to the people who run Operationpaperback, another group that sends books to military personnel, they mayhave some names of some female personnel who have requested romances.  I have sent one box of them (only about 9-10 of them) to someone whose address I got from these people.  Otherwise, I think your idea si a good one if someone wou,s give you a few credits for these "bodice rippers" and the like that most soldiers aren't interested in.  (Unless they were the ones doing the "ripping" I suppose)

Winston

I think your idea is a good one.  If you can't find another group that supports sending books to female military personnel (and this might just be a big headache to do also, given what  you're doing already).  I say go for it.  Pat

I think it's a great idea. You've certainly done your part - go for it! :D

kathy 

i suggest

when you post in the deal in the book bazaar describe what you are doing, where the books came from, what you will be doing with the credits, etc

"full disclosure"

i cant think of any reason why someone would have a problem with this.... ok- let me amend that statement

i cant think why any sane, rational person would have a problem!

good luck

still collecting more books for you to donate

molly

I also think you have a good idea, that way you will get rid of the romances and be able to give the soldiers what they really want to read. Thanks for helping!

I say go for it! Thanks for being such a great American! Gloria

Can you list some of the requested books?  I'm not into romance but would be willing to donate any requested if I have them.

Sending you a box tomorrow JL....

And I'm thinking as a service project for my students, I will do a small book drive.  I'll let you know how many boxes I'm sending after I get them boxed up!

I sent a box of non-romance books to you for your second round of gathering.  I've  sent books once before.  I don't remember if it was to you that I sent them, but it was a box of about 45 mostly romance books.  I understand that men don't really want to read the romance books, it's not the type of book that they prefer.  If it was to you, that I sent books to the first time, let me say this;  I do not see anything wrong with what you want to do to be able to get the books that the male soldiers would want to read.  You have plenty of books for the women and you are trying to do the same for the men. 

I would not complain, or see any reason to be upset, if it was the books that I sent to you that you traded to get books that the men really want.  If my voice matters, I say do it.  It's probably the best way to use the books you have, to get the books you need for the soldiers.

Thank you for all of the time and all of the effort you have put into doing this.

As a volunteer with OperationPaperback, I can attest to the fact that few if any romance books are ever requested.  I see nothing wrong with relisting the romance books to get credits for the books that the troops really want to read- sci/fi, fantasy, horror and the action/adventure books.   I agree with Molly that you should give a full disclosure in your posting so that everyone is clear what you are doing.  I have done deals to acquire books to ship to troops where I explained what I would be doing with the credits and I have also asked for deals to gets books for soldiers.  It is my experience that PBS users are very generous when it comes to helping to support the troops. 

Someone recently ordered books from me and when I found out they were going to the books for soldiers project, I stuffed a box with lots of extra books because I know the need is so great.  My SIL, who is retired Air Force, travels 90% of the time for his civilian job.  He reads lots of books especially on his trips to China and India and when he is finished with a book, he finds a member of the military in an airport and gives the book to them.  He says they are always so grateful to have something to help pass the time.

Thank you for everybody who has responded.  I have to say that I LOVE PBS members.  Everyone on this site has been amazing in helping me gather books for the soldiers and in response to my issue :)  Once again, thank you everybody.  I maybe be the stopping point for the books, but there is NO WAY I could have done any of this without the members of PBS!!!!  I am going to post the books and offer a deal.  I will give full disclosure on what I am doing and why.  Thanks for your guidance.  I feel better knowing I got some input on it before just jumping in to it.

Thanks, J. L.  I agree with the info from the others, no additional thoughts.

Have you already written somewhere the types of books most wanted?  I could use a good excuse to hit the Friends of the Library bookstore. 

I would buy the books, then ship to you????  Or direct to soldiers?

I PM'd you

I pm'd you regarding another source of deposit :-)

Great Idea----Thanks you for what you do for the Soldiers......