As someone who reads a great deal of historical fiction, especially stories set during WWII, I went into The Banned Books of Berlin with high hopes. While the premise held promise and the subject matter is undeniably important, I found the pacing slower than expected, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged.

The writing is rich with description, which some readers may really enjoy. However, for me, the abundance of detail often felt overwhelming and left little room for imagination or emotional connection with the characters. I found myself wishing for a bit more space to breathe, more opportunity to feel alongside the characters rather than being told exactly what they were experiencing at every moment.

That said, I can appreciate the care and research that went into this novel, and I know there are readers who will absolutely connect with the immersive style and historical depth. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

Two timelines tell the story of Freya in early 1930s Berlin and Maddie in modern day west coast of the US. Freya struggles with the pressure of her father and brother who are enamored of Hitler and her desire to be a writer free to explore any topic. Freya loves literature and the people she comes to know while making costumes for a burlesque theater. Maddie is a journalist struggling with online trolls. In assisting her grandfather with his Swedish Death Cleaning, she comes across journals of his mother, Freya. Family secrets bound in the rise of fascism in 1930s Germany unravel as the two stories parallel and intertwine. Historical fiction at its best.

This was a really good read. I felt like the execution of the book was good. The pacing was also good, I did not find it lagging in any parts of the book. It was a very well written book and at times a very sad story. I would definitely read more books from this author and recommend this book.

This story alters between the past and the present. The past is set in Berlin at the start of the Nazi occupation. In the present Maddie is a journalist who discovers information about her Grandfathers past. The eras are eventually connected, but with a twist. The story is compelling and is a good book for anyone interested in historical fiction. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A breathtaking story of courage, resistance, and the unbreakable power of the written word.

Banned Books of Berlin is one of those rare historical novels that lingers long after you finish the last page. Set against the haunting backdrop of Berlin in 1933, Freya’s story is both harrowing and inspiring—a young woman caught between fear and conviction, witnessing her beloved city consumed by fascism. Her journey from bystander to brave resistor is heartbreaking and unforgettable.

In the present-day timeline, Maddie’s discovery of Freya’s diary feels like unlocking a secret piece of history—and her emotional journey as she unravels the truth is every bit as compelling. The contrast between past and present is masterfully done, weaving together personal legacy, generational courage, and the impact of stories hidden for too long.

This is a novel about the price of silence, the courage it takes to speak out, and how the echoes of resistance can reach across decades.

For fans of The Book Thief, The Paris Library, and anyone who believes in the enduring power of books to change the world.

This is a dual timeline book between Nazi Germany and present day. It's about censorship and the freedom to speak and the importance of knowing your history. In present day, Maddie finds great grandmother Freya's diary and learns of her relatives fight against the Nazis desire to rid the world of "indecent" books.

This book was hard to read as paragraphs were quite long, very deceptive, and slow to start. It's a good story overall.

Feyra’s life is upended by the death of her mother and the rise of Hitler. As she begins to find her confidence, she leaves home—only to eventually face the need to flee Germany. Her journey, set in the 1930s, is interwoven with the present-day story of Maddie, a young woman helping her grandfather uncover the truth about his mother, who had emigrated from Germany decades earlier.

This is a beautifully bittersweet work of historical fiction. I appreciated that the author didn’t rely on unnecessary filler to stretch the story—it felt focused and well-paced throughout. It was a pleasure to read, and I’m definitely interested in exploring more of the author’s work.

I really enjoyed this book and particularly the two main characters in the back and forth story line. Freya and Maddie were cut from the same cloth it appeared although living in very different time frames. I found the twist at the end to be a great wrap up of their story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a WWII story with a culminating ending.

The Banned Books of Berlin links the time frame of Germany in the early 1930’s with the present day.
In 1933, a young woman, Freya is caught in a world of rising fascism. In the present day, her American born great granddaughter Maddie discovers Freya’s pre-war diary while helping her grandfather with his “death “ cleaning in his home in Los Angeles.
The novel traverses the time periods as Maddie learns more about Freya’s life, the choices she makes and the people in her world.
The important message of this novel is the lasting effect of suppression of ideas and book banning has on people, history and cultures. A well worth read by Daisy Wood.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARc.

This wonderful story takes the reader between 1930s Germany and 2024 United States. It is not a time travel book, it focuses on two timelines while telling the story.

While helping her grandfather sort through his apartment during his Swedish death cleaning, Maddie discovered her great-grandmother's handwritten journal. The uncovering of the journal entices Maddie to search for more information about her great-grandmother and leads to the discovery of an incredible twist that the reader simply does not see coming.

I feel the title is a bit misleading. Freya (the main character in the Berlin timeline) is passionate about books; however, banned books is not really a key factor in the book.

First time reading this author
I enjoyed this book
About wwii and having to give up your life for the better

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Maddie’s story in the present-day timeline, but Freya’s, not so much. So depressing to read about her family dynamics, her work environment, and the rise of the Nazis. Maddie’s grandfather is a fun character. His link to Freya neatly ties the two threads together.

This novel is told in two timelines. In one timeline, Freya Amsel has lost her mother as unrest continues to grow in Berlin. As the economic depression worsens, Freya finds herself working in a night club, as an assistant the costumer. She becomes friends with one performer, Violet, a young woman from England, who is far more than what she seems. At home, the need for more money leads the Amsel family to rent out a room to a man who is rising up in the Nazi party.

In the other timeline, Maddie is a journalist who has been having some trouble at work and has decided to return home to Los Angeles to visit her family. While there, she starts to help her grandfather go through his things and finds some items belonging to her great grandmother, including a diary. As she reads through the diary, Maddie learns about how her great-grandmother's life during the rise of the Nazi party was far more interesting than she could have possibly imagined.

A well-crafted novel with incidents and themes relevant to events happening today.

** Please note: Contains spoilers
What a great read. I've always loved historical fiction, especially WW II novels. As many as I have read, it still amazes me that people can be so cruel & heartless. I wonder if I could have been as brave as Freya, Violet, Leon & the others. I grew to hate Walther early. He was conceited and rude. I knew it was going to be a good book when I started feeling strong feelings for the characters. I was heartbroken when I learned Leon was unfaithful l, but can also see the draw of the strong feelings of passion during war time. I also loved that Gramps was understanding of the situation & not bad at Freya or Violet for the outcome. In a world full of hate, it shows you that there are still good, kind-hearted people in the world. Thank you for this book, I will definitely be reading more Daisy Wood novels in the future.