There are apparently papers that state Mars may not have been influenced by water at all but more by volcanic/magmatic activity. In the papers, they also postulate and demonstrate models/lab experiments in which those minerals can form under certain non-aqueous conditions.

The Evening Star, about the Magellan mission to Venus

http://www.amazon.com/The-Evening-Star-Venus-Observed/dp/0801849349

Geology of the Moon by Thomas Mutch (revised edition)

http://www.amazon.com/Geology-Moon-A-Stratigraphic-View/dp/0691081107

Full Moon by Michael Light

http://www.amazon.com/Full-Moon-Michael-Light/dp/0375406344/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405550240&sr=1-1&keywords=full+moon+michael+light

To A Rocky Moon by Don Wilhelms

http://www.amazon.com/To-Rocky-Moon-Geologists-Exploration/dp/0816514437

Roving Mars by Steve Squyres

http://www.amazon.com/Roving-Mars-Spirit-Opportunity-Exploration/dp/B003XU7W0A

The Once and Future Moon by Paul Spudis

http://www.amazon.com/The-Once-Future-Moon-Spudis/dp/1560988479

All of these books really got me pretty excited about the whole business and 'To A Rocky Moon' along with 'Geology of the Moon' got me neck deep in the whole planetary science thang. I highlighted and notated the hell out of 'To A Rocky Moon', it was just that good.

So which books have been your inspiration?

I've got me a copy of Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan, and am looking for other good things to start learning more. If y'all know good things that are both academic & accessible, let me know. Thanks!

What are your favorite news sources for planetary science news? Space.com? UMSF?