Team MP! took a trip to Berlin last week. We worked hard, and treated ourselves to some serious fun and excellent food too. Itâs a city full of history, culture, coffee shops and night life that doesnât quite stop at nightâŠ
We obviously opted for the literary side of things and weâve uncovered THE best spots for a bookish trip to Germanyâs capital.
Books Set in Berlin
We donât know about you guys, but as soon as we plan a trip somewhere new, we NEED to know all about it, and what better way than through the eyes of a character in the city! Reading is actual, proper, essential research.
âGoodbye to Berlinâ by Christopher Isherwood
This novella is often seen as Isherwoodâs masterpiece along with its counterpart âMr Norris Changes Trainsâ. Set in the early 1930s, the novellas follow Hitlerâs rise to power and the change it causes to spread across the city.
âThe Crueltyâ by Scott Bergstrom
As Gwendolyn traces her missing father across the dark underbelly of Europeâs criminals, she passes through Berlin. Itâs one of the places where she has to shed her schoolgirl past and embrace her new cruelty.
âGoing Overâ by Beth Kephart
It is February 1983, and Berlin is east from west. Ada lives among the rebels, punkers, and immigrants of West Berlin. Stefan lives in a faceless apartment bunker in East Berlin. Their only chance for a life together lies in a high-risk escape.
Authors That Live in Berlin
Whether you want to soak up the history of the famous faces of the past while youâre visiting or make sure youâre always on the lookout for a writerly hero, you HAVE to know which authors live in the place youâre visiting.
The Brothers Grimm
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm wrote some of the most famous stories to exist, stories retold and reimagined since they were written. âThe Little Mermaidâ, âCinderellaâ, and âSleeping Beautyâ werenât Disney creations you know!
Vladimir Nabokov
Though Nabokov is actually Russian and wasnât born in Berlin, he spent a life-changing 15 years in the city. It was there that Nabokov became established as a writer and a poet and married.
Bertold Brect
If youâre studying Drama at school, youâll be familiar with this name. He was a poet, playwright and theatrical director who lived through the Second World War and the split between East and West Berlin. His methods, plays and stage set ups transformed theatre.
A Guide to Yosemite by SJ Kincaid
A Guide to Literary New York City
Awesome Berlin Bookshops
Itâs a bookworm thing. It doesnât matter whether we visit a new city or an entirely country â we MUST investigate the bookshops. And these three are spectacular.
Mundo Azul
Specialising childrenâs literature, Mundo Azul caters to English, German, French, Spanish and even more languages. Itâs a beautiful little shop that regularly houses lots of events and workshops.
Saint Georges English Bookshop
If youâre looking for a big bookshop, this is the one. Itâs the largest English bookshop in Berlin and get loads of books directly from the UK, mostly secondhand. They also accept pounds so thereâs no need to worry about a spending limit in here!
Another Country
This secondhand bookshop in Kreuxberg is more like a library than a bookshop. After buying, reading and loving a book, you can bring it back and get your money back. Except for a âŹ1.50 charge. How cool is that?!
Great Places to Read in Berlin
Once youâve done your âYay, Iâm somewhere new â letâs explore the bookstoresâ book haul, you need somewhere good to chill out and read.
The Grimm Zentrum Library
Though the library is technically for the use of the Humbolt University students, the public can visit the vast collection of over 2 million volumes. Itâs the biggest library in the German-speaking world. SOLD. Oh, and itâs also named after the Brothers Grimm soâŠ
Coffee Shops
Berlin is bursting with amazing indie coffee shops, bakeries and places to grab a quick bite. Breakfast, brunch, lunch or even just a snack, whatever youâre looking for, youâre drowning in choices after only a few minutes of walking the city centre. And if none of them tickle your fancy? Thereâs always Starbucks.
Britzer Garten
A gorgeous park is always a win. Whether on a brisk, chilly day or a steaming, hot afternoon, you really canât beat sitting out with a brilliant read. There are lakes, a rose garden, restaurants and even a witch garden. What more could you need?
Have you ever been to Berlin? Share your favourite spots with us in the comments below.Â