Paper Based Bookshop

06/06/2026

St Lucia In da house … here celebrating thank you for visiting us!

06/06/2026

The Vanishing Girls

From acclaimed Barbadian author Callie Browning comes a gripping mystery that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Born and raised in Barbados, Callie Browning is a self-confessed night owl, foodie, and avid meal experimenter. She brings her Caribbean perspective and sharp storytelling to this suspense-filled thriller.

When funeral director Holden Davis finds himself overwhelmed by debt, family tensions, and the weight of his father's legacy, the last thing he expects is to become entangled in a chilling serial killer investigation. As bodies begin to pile up and clues remain scarce, Holden is drawn to his enigmatic new assistant, Eileen, whose secrets may be just as dangerous as the killer they're trying to catch.

Will love, deception, and buried truths lead them to the murderer—or place them directly in the killer's path?

Perfect for readers who enjoy mystery, thriller, crime fiction, and book club reads.

AVAILABLE at the shop
ONLINE https://paperbasedbookshop.com/shop/the-vanishing-girls-callie-browning-43401

Have you discovered the work of Caribbean crime writers yet? The Vanishing Girls is a thrilling place to start.

05/06/2026

happy thanks for stopping by!

05/06/2026

Today we're featuring Augustown by acclaimed Jamaican writer, poet, and essayist Kei Miller.

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Miller began publishing throughout the Caribbean after being encouraged by renowned Jamaican poet Mervyn Morris. He has since become one of the region's most celebrated literary voices, earning international recognition for his novels, poetry, and essays.

Augustown was the winner of the 2017 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, the Caribbean's most prestigious literary award.

Set in the Kingston community of August Town, the novel blends history, folklore, spirituality, and magical realism to tell a captivating story rooted in Jamaican culture and memory. Through the legend of the "flying preacherman" Alexander Bedward and the lives of the residents of Augustown, Miller explores faith, resistance, identity, and the enduring power of community.

Richly imagined and beautifully written, Augustown is a remarkable celebration of Jamaican storytelling and a must-read for anyone exploring Caribbean literature.

This Read Caribbean Month, discover why Kei Miller is considered one of the most important literary voices of his generation.

Available at the shop
ONLINE https://paperbasedbookshop.com/shop/augustown-kei-miller-42293
AUDIO BOOK https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781409165835-augustown

Have you read Augustown? Tell us what you thought in the comments.

04/06/2026

One of St Lucia’s most respected voices, John Robert Lee is a poet, journalist, librarian and educator whose work has helped shape contemporary Caribbean literature for decades. His writing is known for deep engagement with Caribbean culture, history, spirituality, and everyday life.

In Pierrot, he draws inspiration from the traditional carnival character - the witty storyteller and keeper of wisdom - to reflect on love, memory, faith, loss, and the human experience. Thoughtful and lyrical, this collection offers readers a moving journey through the personal the universal.

Available at the shop or
ONLINE https://paperbasedbookshop.com/shop/pierrot-john-robert-le
John R. Lee

03/06/2026

June is both Pride and Read Caribbean month and what a better time to celebrate Caribbean stories that explore identity, belonging, love, and the courage to live authentically.

Today we're featuring A Different Hurricane by H Nigel Thomas, a powerful novel that follows a young Caribbean man navigating family expectations, migration, self-discovery, and what it means to be true to oneself in a world that often demands conformity.

Born in St Vincent and later emigrating to Canada, H Nigel Thomas has spent decades writing stories that illuminate Caribbean experiences, particularly those of LGBTQ+ individuals whose voices have too often been overlooked.

A Different Hurricane is a moving and deeply human story about resilience, acceptance, and finding your place in the world. It reminds us that Caribbean literature reflects the full richness and diversity of Caribbean life.

🌈 This Pride Month, celebrate stories that broaden perspectives, spark conversations, and affirm that every story deserves to be told.

A Different Hurricane was shortlisted for the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, further cementing its place as an important contribution to contemporary Caribbean writing.

Available at the shop or
ONLINE : https://paperbasedbookshop.com/shop/a-different-hurricane-h-nigel-thomas-44620

Less than an hour after Millington receives his permanent resident visa, he wonders if his husband Jay would now end their marriage. And Jay has multiple reasons to. Millington is an ex-Methodist minister, who once believed he could be celibate. When he fled Caribbean Methodism and came to Montreal,...

02/06/2026

HOLIDAY CLOSURE NOTICE

02/06/2026

Today we're celebrating Marie-Elena John, one of Antigua and Barbuda's most distinguished literary voices.

Born and raised in Antigua, Marie-Elena John is a writer, development specialist, and human rights advocate whose work has spanned Africa, the Caribbean, and the international stage. Throughout her career, she has worked with organizations including the African Development Foundation, the World Council of Churches' Programme to Combat Racism, and Global Rights, supporting pro-democracy movements and advancing human rights.

She is particularly recognized for her efforts to raise awareness about the denial of inheritance rights to women through her work with the United Nations and at local and national levels.

A trailblazer from an early age, Marie-Elena John made history in 1986 as the first Black woman valedictorian of New York's City College. She later earned a Master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, specializing in culture and development in Africa.

Her debut novel, Unburnable, received international acclaim, earning recognition as Best Debut of 2006 by Black Issues Book Review, a shortlist nomination for the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award, and a nomination for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. The Modern Language Association also identified it as a notable work of Caribbean literature.

Unburnable weaves together family history, folklore, colonial legacy, and the search for identity.

Set partly in contemporary Washington, D.C., and partly in post-World War II Dominica, this unforgettable story follows Lillian Baptiste as she uncovers the truth about her family's past and confronts the myths and mysteries that have shaped her life.

Rich, haunting, and beautifully written, Unburnable is a remarkable example of Caribbean storytelling at its finest.

This Read Caribbean Month, discover the work of a writer whose contributions extend far beyond literature, helping to shape conversations about justice, identity, history, and human rights.

Visit the shop or order online
https://paperbasedbookshop.com/shop/unburnable-marie-elena-john-44561

AUDIOBOOK https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780062641236-unburnable

01/06/2026

📚🌴 Read Caribbean Month Begins at Home! 🌴📚

We are proud to kick off Read Caribbean Month with one of Trinidad and Tobago's most celebrated contemporary writers, Celeste Mohammed, and her award-winning debut novel, Pleasantview.

🏆 Winner of the 2022 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, the region's most prestigious literary award. Pleasantview captivated judges with its powerful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and vivid portrayal of life in Trinidad.

Coconut trees. Carnival. Rum and Coke.

To outsiders, these may seem like the symbols of an idyllic Caribbean life. But Pleasantview takes us beyond the postcard images and into the realities of a society shaped by poverty, patriarchy, love, loss, resilience, and revenge.

Written in a rich blend of English and Trinidad Creole, this novel-in-stories introduces readers to a fictional Trinidadian town where lives intertwine in surprising and unforgettable ways. It is deeply Trinidadian, yet universally human.

📖 Start your Read Caribbean Month journey with a book that showcases the power, beauty, and complexity of Caribbean storytelling.

Have you read Pleasantview? Tell us what you thought in the comments!

Visit us at the shop or order online - https://paperbasedbookshop.com/shop/pleasantview-celeste-mohammed-h-c-44681

AUDIOBOOK - https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798260801819