The Best Bookstores in Las Cruces

COAS Books earns top marks for rare titles most stores never stock and a trade-in credit system that rewards regular readers.

By The Scoop Editorial Team · How we pick · Updated July 2026

COAS Books

★★★★★ 4.8 · 1521 reviews

Open 10 AM–7 PM most days

Two locations, both packed floor to ceiling with used books in clean, organized sections. The trade-in system is straightforward: bring your old books, walk out with store credit, and apply it to vintage finds, new releases, or the surprisingly deep music scores section. Shelves hold rare fantasy titles from authors like Andre Norton, community-written books by local writers, and entire rows of DVDs and Blu-rays tucked into back corners. The front room stocks gifts, cards, bags, and socks for impulse buys. The only navigation challenge is the sheer scale, which could use clearer directional signage to help you locate specific genres.

"Has an excellent selection of older fantasy books that I can't seem to find anywhere else…"Verified review

Best for: Serious browsers hunting rare or out-of-print books

Call Now (575) 524-8471 Visit Website

317 N Main St, Las Cruces

COAS Books, Bookstores in Las Cruces — COAS BooksPhoto: COAS Books

317 N Main St, Las Cruces

2No. 2 in Las Cruces

Smiles Christian Books & Gifts

★★★★★ 4.8 · 43 reviews

Open 1 PM–6 PM most days, closed Sun & Mon

The staff warmth here reads genuine, not scripted. The counter crew greets you with the kind of helpfulness that comes from actually reading the books on the shelves, so they can point you straight to spiral Bibles, Bible covers with pockets for pens and notepads, or the children's section without hesitation. The curated selection skips the warehouse feel for a peaceful, light-filled atmosphere where every item seems hand-picked. Unique discoveries turn up regularly, whether it's the T-shirt of the month club or a gift that solves a birthday problem in two minutes. The shop recently opened under new ownership but already feels like it belongs.

"I love to browse and find books to help in my study of scripture."Verified review

Best for: Faith-based gifts and Bibles with thoughtful guidance

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2645 Missouri Ave Ste 6, Las Cruces

Smiles Christian Books & Gifts, Bookstores in Las Cruces — Smiles Christian Books & GiftsPhoto: Amanda Romero

2645 Missouri Ave Ste 6, Las Cruces

3No. 3 in Las Cruces

Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery

★★★★★ 4.8 · 18 reviews

Open 11 AM–5 PM Thu, Fri, Sat

This adobe bookstore and art gallery stocks hard-to-find titles on regional history, Southwest literature, and local lore. The curated selection leans into Las Cruces and El Paso history, with a strong children's section and shelves that reflect a collector's eye. Author events and lectures turn the shop into a gathering space for readers. Confirm hours before you visit, as the shop typically opens Wednesday through Sunday only.

"Fantastic place if you like learning about old books and the true history of Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX…"Verified review

Best for: Regional history and literary events in intimate space

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314 S Tornillo St, Las Cruces

Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery, Bookstores in Las Cruces — Camino Real Book Store and Art GalleryPhoto: Joseph Yaroch

314 S Tornillo St, Las Cruces

How Las Cruces's Top Bookstores Compare

How Las Cruces's top Bookstores compare across key factors
Business	Hours	Known for
COAS Books Top Pick	10 AM–7 PM	Serious browsers hunting rare or out-of-print books

Smiles Christian Books & Gifts	1 PM–6 PM	Faith-based gifts and Bibles with thoughtful guidance
Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery	11 AM–5 PM	Regional history and literary events in intimate space

What People Are Saying

20% of COAS Books reviews mention the find.

★★★★★

Bring in your books to earn credit, then shop for new books to read.

COAS Books

★★★★★

I could have stayed there all day looking at all they had to offer.

Smiles Christian Books & Gifts

★★★★★

It's great to see somebody who loves literature so much and has such an eclectic collection.

Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery

Bookstores in Las Cruces

Bookstore traffic in Las Cruces follows the academic calendar, with demand peaking in August and January when students arrive for fall and spring semesters at New Mexico State University. The used-book market runs strong year-round, fed by a steady churn of faculty, military families rotating through White Sands Missile Range, and retirees downsizing collections. Independent bookstores anchor the downtown corridor and suburban retail centers, with Christian and regional-history specialties filling niches that national chains abandoned. Summer heat drives browsing indoors, while mild fall and spring weather supports author events and outdoor book sales.

What to Know Before You Choose

Start with the trade-in policy if you have old books to unload, as store credit stretches your budget further than cash alone.
Confirm operating hours before you visit, especially for smaller shops that close multiple days per week or keep limited afternoon schedules.
Ask the staff for recommendations rather than wandering aimlessly, because every shop here curates with intention and the counter crew knows the inventory.
Plan extra time for used bookstores, where the best finds hide in unexpected corners and the sheer volume demands patience.
Check for author events and lectures if you want more than a retail transaction, as storytelling sessions and book signings add depth to the experience.
Look for specialty sections that match your interests, whether that's regional history, Christian titles, music scores, or rare fantasy authors.
Bring a list of titles you're hunting if you collect specific authors or series, because the staff can check inventory or suggest alternatives you might have missed.
Expect a peaceful, unhurried atmosphere across all three shops, where browsing is encouraged and the hard sell doesn't exist.

Questions Las Cruces Locals Ask

Which Las Cruces bookstore has the biggest selection?

COAS Books operates two locations in Las Cruces, both packed with used books across every genre you can think of. The inventory includes rare titles, vintage finds, music scores, DVDs, and brand-new releases. You can spend hours browsing and still have more shelves to explore. The trade-in system lets you turn your old books into store credit on the spot.

Can I trade in used books in Las Cruces?

COAS Books runs a straightforward trade-in program where you bring your old books and walk out with store credit toward your next purchase. The credit applies to anything in the store, from vintage finds to brand-new releases. It's a practical way to refresh your shelves without spending cash. Both COAS locations accept trade-ins.

Where can I find Christian books and Bibles in Las Cruces?

Smiles Christian Books & Gifts curates faith-based titles, Bibles, and Christian merchandise on Missouri Avenue. The shop stocks spiral Bibles, Bible covers with pockets for pens and notepads, and a strong children's section. The staff knows the inventory well and can point you to exactly what you need. The atmosphere is peaceful and welcoming, with unique gift discoveries mixed in.

Are there any bookstores in Las Cruces that host author events?

Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery hosts author events, lectures, and storytelling sessions in a charming adobe building downtown. The shop runs as a gathering space for readers and storytellers, with a curated selection focused on regional history and hard-to-find titles. Call ahead to confirm event schedules and shop hours.

What is the best bookstore for rare or out-of-print books in Las Cruces?

COAS Books stocks rare and hard-to-find titles across two sprawling locations, with deep sections for vintage fantasy authors like Andre Norton and other out-of-print series. The inventory changes constantly as customers trade in books, so each visit turns up new discoveries. Plan at least an hour to browse the organized shelves. The staff can point you toward specific genres if you ask.

Where can I find books on Las Cruces and regional history?

Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery specializes in regional history, stocking hard-to-find titles on Las Cruces, El Paso, and the surrounding area. The owner is an archivist and author who curates the selection with an expert eye, and the shop also functions as an art gallery that hosts storytelling events bringing the history to life.

Do Las Cruces bookstores sell music or movies?

COAS Books stocks DVDs and Blu-rays alongside its massive book inventory, plus a surprisingly deep selection of music scores for musicians. The media sections are tucked into the sprawling layout, so ask the staff if you can't locate them. The two COAS locations carry slightly different inventories, so it's worth checking both if you're hunting for a specific title.

Which bookstore in Las Cruces has the best children's section?

Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery earns praise for its superior children's book selection, curated with the same care applied to the rest of the inventory. Smiles Christian Books & Gifts also carries a strong children's section focused on faith-based titles. COAS Books offers a broad children's inventory within its massive used-book selection.

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