Hidden Gems: Underrated Books You Should Read

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library

One of the greatest pleasures of working in a library is witnessing the spark when someone stumbles upon a book they never knew existed. Sure, big names and bestsellers get the buzz—but tucked quietly on our shelves—or reachable through interlibrary loan—are wonderful stories and voices that deserve your attention. Here are some underrated treasures you can (or may) find via Carlsbad Public Library’s collection—plus tips to help you track them down.

What We Can Know by Ian McEwan: This layered, genre-blending novel (available via New Mexico Library To Go) is part detective story, part meditation on memory, art, and human connection.

Mysterious New Mexico: Miracles, Magic, and Monsters in the Land of Enchantment by Ben Radford: A fascinating exploration of local legends, paranormal folklore, and cultural lore. If your curiosity leans toward the strange and speculative, this one is a treat.

Beyond those, dive into the Carlsbad Public Library catalog, and you’ll find lesser-known works hiding in plain sight. (The catalog is searchable online at carlsbad.biblionix.com) Titles like The Honey Bus (offered via Hoopla in the local system) emerge in “what’s new” or “just added” lists.

These titles often offer deeper rewards than the flashiest bestsellers. They may: Introduce you to an author whose name you haven’t seen on social media. Offer a fresh perspective (regional history, local mythology, genre crosses) that more mainstream books often avoid. Build a sense of local connection—reading Mysterious New Mexico, for example, invites you to see your own state through a different lens.

How to Find Hidden Gems in the Library

Use the “Added Recently” and “Just In” lists.

The library catalog often highlights newly acquired books—many hidden gems start their journey here.

Browse beyond your comfort zone.

Don’t stick to just “fiction” or “thrillers.” Check out sections like “New Mexico/Southwest,” “local interest,” “paranormal & folklore,” or “regional studies.”

Ask a librarian.

We keep lists of underread titles, and we know what’s rarely checked out but holds a special charm.

Request via interlibrary loan (ILL).

If a book isn’t physically in Carlsbad, we can often borrow it from elsewhere in the state or region.

Explore digital collections and e-libraries.

Carlsbad’s eLibrary offers access to databases, OverDrive/NM Library To Go, Hoopla, and more. Biblioboard has a whole section on local New Mexico authors; make sure to check it out.

Ask us about authors from New Mexico or the Southwest. We often rotate in works by regional authors who don’t always get national attention.

Next time you visit the library (in person or online), I invite you to stray from your usual path. Pull a book off the shelf merely because the cover intrigues you. Ask a librarian for a hidden favorite. Try something you’ve never heard of and give it 10 pages. You never know—you might find a story that transforms your reading list forever.

Happy reading, and may your next favorite book be one you didn’t see coming.