Established in 1987, Paper Based Bookshop is one of the oldest bookshops in Trinidad, and the only one specializing in Caribbean literature. Cozily 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 and owned 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.
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, located in the Hotel Normandie in St Ann’s, Port of Spain. 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 