I love Daisy Wood's writing. I've read all of her books except for one (The Royal Librarian..but I do want to read that one as well.) All her books are so well researched. I was very excited when the publisher granted me an early copy. I was not disappointed!

It's a dual time line story. Freya's life is changing in 1930's Berlin. Her beloved mother has just died and she must take over her sewing business. It's not something she really enjoys. She loves the arts and writing in particular. She gets a job in a prestigious Berlin theatre and begins to sew the costumes and makes new friends. She's frustrated with her father and brother and leaves to live in the theatre. Times are changing in Germany and Hitler's regime is causing havoc for many people. Freya finds herself resisting the regime and doing things she never thought she'd have to do. In the present timeline Maddie is visiting her Grandfather in California. She's helping to cleanup his apartment and they find her Great-Grandmother's diary written in German. This puts Maddie on a quest to find out about her and her heritage. She will discover many things. I liked the twist at the end!

This book was a welcome change for me as it focused on pre WW II and Germany and when Hitler was fear mongering his own people. He was imposing curfews and trying to control freedom of speech through the banning and burning of books. Stories like this are still important today. This is a reminder to us all to never make these same mistakes again.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for granting me access to this Advance Reader's Copy.

Published in the UK April 10, 2025

This story begins in Berlin in the 1930s just as people are beginning to realise that their life is changing. But it isn’t just the world view that is changing, Freya’s life is changing too following the death of her mother and the expectation that she must go out into the world and get a job and do as she is told. But Freya is a hero who can't just stand by she wants to preserve and hide books which are banned which is a risky business. Paralleled with this is the life of Maddy in the 21st century in New York where she is experiencing hate crime following an article she has written on social media. There begins the dual timeline with the rise of the Nazis in Berlin and the resulting death of the Weimar Republic paralleled to the 21st century in what is supposed to be the freest country in the world!
Daisy is a master of her art, juggling both timelines to untangle this mighty story of bravery and courage and love. Loved it a lot.
Thanks to Daisy Wood, Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC.

I have read all of Daisy Woods’ books, so I was really pleased to be offered a copy of her latest one, The Banned Books of Berlin.
The story is a dual time line, Maddie and her family in present day Portland, Freya and her friends and family in Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
Hitler is just coming to power, the Stormtroopers are everywhere, life wasn’t safe for anyone who didn’t toe the line. Freya’s father and brother became ardent Nazi supporters and a Nazi was even a lodger in their house. Freya was not a Nazi supporter. Maddie lives in America and her grandfather decided to clear out his belongings as he wanted to declutter his house in anticipation of his death at some stage in the future. And so the story enfolds. This was a great read and I enjoyed the story as well as learning some new historical facts. I would like to thank NetGalley
, Daisy Wood and the publishers, Avon Books for an arc of this enjoyable book.

The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood is a captivating novel!
A well written story that was so hard to put down.
I loved everything about this novel!
Mesmerizing!

The Banned Books of Berlin is a dual narrative/dual timeline novel set in 1930s Berlin as Hitler rises to power and modern day West Coast USA.
It is the type of historical fiction that is really engaging because both stories are compelling and each of the main characters in their stories are relatable. There is Freya, a young woman who has lost her mother as she approaches adulthood in Berlin when the story begins, and Maddie, recovering from both professional and personal burnout in Portland, while her family is in LA.
Their stories intertwine as Maddie visits her Gramps and helps him with his 'Death Cleaning', making links between Maddie as a professional writer and journalist, and Freya, who begins to write as a vehicle to express her feelings as the Nazis take over Berlin.

Overall, a really interesting concept and historical setting for a book. I've read lots of historical fiction set in the WW2 years but not a lot in pre-war Germany so it was great to get this perspective. I've not read this author before either but I would definitely read something of hers in the future.
4/5 from me - many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I want to thank NetGalley and Daisy Wood for giving me the chance to read this amazing ARC.

The Banned Books of Berlin takes you through the tragic beginnings of the Nazi takeover of Germany. Freya is a young determined woman with the strength and courage all women should look up to. She fights for what she believes and desperately tries to make a difference for her country. But anyone who knows history knows how that ends.

Fast forward almost a century later and we find Maddie, an aspiring journalist with troubles following her online. She goes back home to visit and stumbles upon an amazing journey through her family history that reveals unbelievable secrets. What a twist of events that was to read at the end!

My love for history, my German heritage, and all the ‘banned’ authors in the world, I was immediately drawn to reading this book. I’m a collector of old books that are deemed too controversial in today’s society, and believe that history and old stories should be read over and over. For if we ban books, we ban the history, and if we ban history we will never learn.

This book also made me want to speak to my grandmother, who was born and raised in Germany right in the middle of the war. I wonder what life was like for her after the war and growing up. Maybe one day I’ll hear her story as Maddie heard Freya’s.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for this eCopy to review

I just finished The Banned Books of Berlin, and it was a compelling and emotional read. Daisy Wood masterfully intertwines two timelines—Berlin in 1933 and present-day New York—creating a gripping historical fiction novel that explores resistance, courage, and the power of literature.

In 1933, Freya watches in horror as the Nazi regime rises, burning books and silencing voices. She faces a difficult choice: remain a bystander or risk everything to protect knowledge and lives. Meanwhile, in present-day New York, Maddie stumbles upon a pre-war German diary among her grandfather’s belongings. As she delves into its secrets, she embarks on a journey to uncover Freya’s story and the impact she had on the world.

Wood’s writing is immersive, bringing Berlin’s tense atmosphere to life while also capturing Maddie’s modern-day discoveries. The novel beautifully highlights the importance of books and the resilience of those who fight for truth.

The Banned Books of Berlin is a rich historical novel that is poignant and inspiring, reminding us of the enduring power of literature.

I absolutely loved this book by Daisy Wood..The historical research was second to none and really brought it home to the reader what a terribje time it was for people who were subjected to the nazi regime and all that went with it.
I didn't know that much about the banning of books in Berlin and what distress thar brought to people.

I liked the dual timeline and how Maddie and her family were involved in looking into Freya's past.

Daisy is a brilliant writer and I highly recommend this book.

A wonderful book about bravery and courage to stand up to what is right.

Freya lived in Berlin just as Hitler was coming to power she did not believe in what he stood up for. She lives with her Father and her brother who believe in the values of Hitler. We see what happens to Freya over the years as she left a diary and her Great Granddaughter Maddie discovers this and she starts to research what happened to her over the years how she ended up in America. Maddie has had her own problems and takes a break from her job.

I really enjoyed the book and it was certainly a different perspective from the usual book about what happened pre War. I really thought Freya and Maddie were strong characters.

The book was well written and it flowed perfectly from one era to another.

Would recommend the book.

A wonderful dual timeline novel set in early 1930s Berlin and modern-day Los Angeles. I loved seeing how these two stories came together! I’ve read many novels set in WWII Germany, but I feel that this was a new perspective. The focus on books was really interesting, and Daisy Wood is a genius at telling stories from the past that are relevant and fascinating. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

4 stars

An interesting story that delves into life during such a difficult time in history that pulls you in.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

This book is a poignant, important must-read book for everyone, not just historical fiction fans. It is a powerful, dual-timeline cross-generational novel telling the story of a young woman, Freya, coming to adulthood in pre-WWII Berlin and her descendants in California, 2024. It tells a narrative of the importance of story-telling, reading books and broadening your mind, challenging your ideas, and yes, the tragedy of the Nazis coming into power. These were some of my favorite quotes:

"Read as widely as you can and then make up your own mind, that was her philosophy."

"'You must carry home in your heart wherever you go,' Frau Brodsky said. 'That's what life has taught me, and it's the only advice I can give.'"

Is it a difficult read? Emotionally, yes. But writing wise, the story was extremely approachable and I devoured it in two sittings. I couldn't look away and was extremely curious about how, exactly, Freya, was going to escape.

When you first start to read a new book, you don't really know how the story will affect you. The title of course gave me clues. This story would feature books that had been banned by the Germans and as a reader and book lover, this would be hard for me to accept. The author chose to do something quite different from what most authors do by setting up the story in advance through an authors note. One typically finds this comes at the end of the story, but here it was at the beginning. The setting was Berlin in the early 30's just as Hitler is beginning to come into power . The Nazi Student Association came up with a list of books that they felt to be "un-German" and held ceremonial bonfires throughout the country where over 25,000 books were burned while onlookers cheered and listen to speeches about how Germany needed to be purified. This is factual, and sadly, banning books is still a thing in the year 2025. This is chilling and reading Woods novel of these times, brought to mind current events happening not so far away from my country even now.

This novel is told in two timelines. It begins in 1930 as Freya sits vigil while her mother is dying. As some of her final words, her mother warns her that she must get away from her father and brother and find her own voice. She leaves to tell her father that her time of death is near and finds him in a pub drinking. Life has been hard for him as a painter. Work has been rare and hard to find and his hopes lie with the new party who are promising a better life.That better life does not include further education for his daughter but rather that she take on the household roles that had belonged to her mother. This includes running a dressmaking business that supports the family. In an effort to break away from these constraints, Frey finds herself a job as a dressmaker for a cabaret club with a less than stellar reputation. A bona fide Nazi moves into the spare bedroom in their house, and her father and brother listened carefully to his ideology. Freya just wants to get away.

Enter Portland Oregon in April 2024. Maddie has become burned out in her job as a reporter due to social media attacks and on advice from her editor is taking some time to head home to her mother, brother and grandfather to recoup her zest for living. Her beloved grandfather is working on Swedish death cleaning which feels to her rather a morbid process. She loves him though and when he asks her help, she can't say no. As they work together, they find an old book, partially singed, that his mother had brought with her from Germany. Could it have been a banned book from Germany? It seems there is family history that needs researching.

I loved the relationship that Maddie had with her grandfather. She loved him and didn't want to lose him, but her love took her with him to a death cleaning party, where they met up with others, including someone who just might be able to help them find out more about the book.

Back in the 30's, life is getting harder for Freya. Her values don't mesh with her father, brother or their tenants, but saying anything could only lead to severe trouble for her.

Each story is a fascinating one. Daisy Woods has a way of describing things that brings the reader right into the story. How the two stories will link together is a bit of a mystery with twists and turns a long the way.

The earlier timeline was difficult to read in many respects- not because there was anything wrong with it (There wasn't), but because the events happening seemed all too real in the light of present disturbances around the world. The modern timeline was more comfortable. Learning more about your family history can be fascinating and in the process, new relationships may develop. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the story within a story about Maddie and her brother with Down syndrome. I have a sister who has been mentally handicapped since birth. I felt Daisy Wood's depiction of the feelings and desire for independence were very realistic and tactfully managed.

I am very thankful to #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUK for allowing me to read an advance copy of this compelling story. All opinions are my own. I will definitely be recommending this book to others.

I was really surprised at how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It begins with Freya living with her father and brother in Berlin in the aftermath of the Great War. Alongside Freya's story is the history of Germany with the rise of Hitler and it gives good insight into why and how Hitler came to power. This is also the story of Maddie, a journalist who returns to the family home to de-stress after work and personal issues. It seems that her grandfather, sorting and de-cluttering his home, begins to look back at his relationship with his German mother and the reason why she came to America. I didn't mind flipping between the present and the past and the characters, especially in Berlin, were so true to life. I really couldn't put this book down once I had started reading it but was disappointed when I reached the end! Just the sign of a good book!

The book is dual timeline and goes back and forth between two main characters, Maddie and Freya. Freya is a young woman who sees the tell tale signs of authoritarianism grow in Nazi Germany. Maddie is her great granddaughter who is a journalist in 2024. The two never met and as Maddie works to transcribe Freya's journal she has more questions than answers about her great grandmother. Freya is a young woman who begins her young adult life in the throws of 1930s Germany, she sees first hand the new expectations of women & how she no longer fits what an ideal German woman does. Freya is an artist and like many of her friends is threatened by what can be if she stays in Germany for too long.

This was a dual-timeline book that transports readers from the scary rise of Nazi Germany to the present day of New York, as two women’s lives twist together through a forgotten diary.

In 1933 Berlin, Freya’s life is turned frantic as her city gives way to the horrors of fascism.

As she watches books burn and her freedom crumbles, she must decide whether to stay safe or risk everything to do what’s right.
Freya’s bravery was very emotional.

Now, Maddie’s discovery of Freya’s diary among her grandfather’s belongings leads her to search for answers. Then, she reveals the past and learns how far-reaching Freya's courage was.

This story was emotional and packed with tension. The secrets revealed left my jaw dropping.

A must-read for fans of historical fiction
#HistoricalFiction #WWIIFiction #BookReview #Bookstagram #DualTimeline #WomenInHistory #MustRead #HistoricalReads #BookLover #ReadersOfInstagram #BookRecommendation #StoriesThatStayWithYou #BookCommunity #BookishPost

This is an emotional story that takes place in two different times, in 1930s Germany and in modern-day America, where a family is trying to find out about their family and their past. What I liked about this story is that it focused on the 1930s and the Nazi's rise to power and how it affected the citizens of Berlin. Freya was a great character, and she showed great bravery in her actions throughout. The portrayal of what it was like to live in Germany at the time was really interesting, and from what I know about the events at the time, it seems accurate as well. The modern-day story was also touching as well, and seeing a family discover more about Freya. This felt like a historical fiction and also a character study of Freya. I did enjoy this book, and I thought the inclusion of the modern-day was a good way to switch up telling the story. The characters were all developed, and their motivations were clear. The focus on what was happening in Germany before the war broke out set this book apart from others I've read. Please check trigger warnings for this story.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about the downtrodden, those who don’t get respect in society, those who are thought to be incapable and inferior. It’s about finding your voice and using it to stand up for what you believe in. It’s about courage.

There are three narratives: Freya, a costume maker in 1930’s Berlin, is against Nazism and decides to start her own little resistance preserving the stories that matter to her the most. Maggie, her great granddaughter is being trolled on social media despite being a successful journalist. She too, finds resilience and a way to develop her own quiet response. Finally, there is Ben, her great grandson, born with Down syndrome, who yearns to be independent. His story is an absolute delight full of hope an$ it brought me some joy.

But most of all, this is a story about family secrets. Maggie finds an old diary belonging to to her grandmother whirl helping her grandfather downsize and the contents are shocking. The question is, will her family read it?

This is an excellent dual timeline story with intrigue, suspense and just the right amount of tension.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC

The night skies are burning bright with huge bonfires of banned books. The Nazi party is swelling in number and Berlin is no longer a safe place for young Freya.
She can only watch on, horrified, as her beloved city falls to fascism – and the usually law-abiding Freya is forced to make a choice: continue being a bystander, or sacrifice herself to save the lives of others…

This is an interesting read. Successfully using a dual timeline which not all novels do. The characters are believable and well rounded. The story is well paced, the writing is excellent.

The Banned Books of Berlin is a compelling, dual-timeline novel that takes readers from the terrifying rise of fascism in 1930s Berlin to the present-day struggle for truth and memory. In the face of Nazi book burnings, Freya grapples with the consequences of living under a regime bent on erasing dissenting voices. Decades later, her great-granddaughter Maddie uncovers Freya’s diary, unlocking a legacy of resistance, moral courage, and the enduring power of stories.

The historical context is vividly brought to life, plunging readers into the suffocating atmosphere of Berlin on the brink of World War II. The novel’s exploration of censorship—both the literal burning of books and the metaphorical silencing of truth—is timely and harrowing, reminding us that the fight for intellectual freedom is far from over. This book serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power.

Freya’s resilience is inspiring, and Maddie’s journey to uncover her family’s hidden history is poignant. Their stories intersect seamlessly, emphasizing the universal themes of family, sacrifice, and standing up for what is right. However, while the plot is gripping, the prose sometimes falls short of matching the emotional weight of the narrative. Long, dense paragraphs make the reading experience laborious at times, detracting from the novel’s otherwise powerful themes of resistance and moral courage.

Despite these issues, The Banned Books of Berlin remains an important and thought-provoking read. It’s a timely reminder of why we must protect our freedom to read, speak, and remember. Highly recommended for anyone who believes in the power of stories to resist tyranny and oppression.