[Colonel Worf]

What I've Read:

Mars by Ben Bova
Return to Mars by Ben Bova
Mars Crossing by Geoffrey A. Landis
The Martian Race by Gregory Benford
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

The only one out of these that I didn't really think deserved an 'A' was Mars Crossing. It was really a letdown after reading the superior books by Ben Bova, and then the almost comparable book by Gregory Benford. I'm absolutely shocked it was nominated for the Hugo. It wasn't really bad... but it wasn't anything to praise either.

What I Own, But Haven't Read:

Martian Rainbow by Robert L. Forward
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Moving Mars by Greg Bear
War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
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What are your favorite books about Mars, and what are your least favorite? Is there something I need to go buy and read, and what should I avoid. I've had several recommendations for Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom novels.

[Hobbit]

An old thread (nearly a year old!) that might be useful is here. (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6302) Worf mentioned things there too!

There's also an old thread on Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars, which was a Book Club book a while back here (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6766) , Worf.

Hobbit

[Archren]

I have to say that I enjoyed Greg Bear's "Moving Mars" more than most people did, so take that for what it's worth.

[Colonel Worf]

Oh gosh... I remember posting in that thread now... that seems so long ago

[Hobbit]

LOL...it happens Worf! :D

OK - looking through your list, in terms of personal favourites, I'd probably go:

MOST FAVOURITE
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War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (short and dated (over 100 years old!) but one of the first SF I read - still capable of shivers even when you know the story!)

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (not to everyone's taste but based on 'good science' - liked the landscape descriptions, less convinced about the characters but still pretty good!)

Moving Mars by Greg Bear (good story and narrative drive)

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein (not one of my favourite Heinleins - bloated preachy Heinlein!)

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (not my favourite Bradbury but some bits that are memorable)

Mars by Ben Bova (not my favourite Bova, but some bits that are memorable)

The Martian Race by Gregory Benford (similar, but not as good, in my opinion to the Bova and the Bear)

Return to Mars by Ben Bova (didn't enjoy this as much as the first)

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LEAST FAVOURITE (but they're all pretty good!)
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NOT READ
Mars Crossing by Geoffrey A. Landis
Martian Rainbow by Robert L. Forward

There's a predictable order for you.... :) Hobbit

[Mugwump]

Philip K. Dick made a living out of the oxygen-enriched delights of Mars.

[ShellyS]

Let's see:

Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars - KS Robinson. I liked Red Mars the best, Blue Mars the least. This series just got too long and boring.

The Martian Chronicles - R. Bradbury. I read this so long ago--over 35 years ago--that I really don't remember it.

Red Genesis - S.C. Sykes. Outdated, but I really liked it.

Voyage to the Red Planet - Terry Bisson. I loved this book. I love his writing.

I've read ome of Alexander Jablokov's books are partially set on Mars. I think Carve the Sky and River of Dust are the books.

Mars Crossing - G. Landis. Good story that could have been better told.

First Landing - R. Zubrin. Could've been a good story if written much better, makes Landis' book look great.

I tried reading another novel by a Mars expert but it was unreadable IMO and I got only 20 pages in before I gave up.

I have the Bova books still here to read. I'm writing my own SF books set on Mars, so have been reading a lot of fiction and non-fic on Mars.

[Colonel Worf]

Ah... just remembered I had Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke and Voyage to the Red Planet by Terry Bisson.

[ironchef texmex]

Red Mars is probably my favorite, just edging out Ben Bova's Mars. A runner up that hasn't been mentioned yet is another Kim S. Robinson book, Icehenge.

My vote for the Martian Dog Award goes to Mars Underground by William K. Hartman, twenty pages of dull short story surrounded by 300+ pages of senseless filler.

[Colonel Worf]

Mars Underground (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0812580397/qid=1091894815/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-4483705-4662556?v=glance&s=books)

That looks mildly interesting... :p It's been given some high praise... but I'll take your recommendation saying it's bad.