Established in 1987, Paper Based Bookshop is one of the oldest bookshops in Trinidad, and the only one specializing in Caribbean literature. Originally tucked into the Shops at The Hotel Normandie, St. Ann’s, Paper Based offers the latest titles and classic reads, in Caribbean fiction, poetry, non-fiction, art and photography, cookbooks, nature writing and others, as well as a proudly curated selection of children’s books.
Established by Joan Dayal, winner of the 2017 Bocas Henry Swanzy Award for Distinguished Service to Caribbean Letters, Paper Based hosts a popular Tea and Readings series, showcasing the talents of emerging and established writers, as well as a yearly Advent Calendar of book recommendations.
In August 2023, Paper Based Bookshop made the momentous move to The Writers Centre, home of the Bocas Lit Fest, at 14 Alcazar Street, St. Clair. Now managed by Bianca Peake, including the same Paper Based team (and Joan herself in a valued advisory role), Paper Based Bookshop remains a cozy hub for all things Caribbean and bookish, with sights set on a new, exciting era of local, community-oriented bookselling.
Get in Touch!
- Monday
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday
- 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Do you have a favourite Caribbean bookshop?
“Paper Based … It has the best and most up-to-date collection of Caribbean books … what makes it special is its owner, the affable Joan Dayal, who is a bit of an anachronism in today’s book world — a bookseller who loves and knows about books!”
Ian Randle, Publisher & Winner of the 2019 Bocas Henry Swanzy Award
Paper Based Bookshop 