Once Upon a Day: A Novel
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
8 journalers for this copy...
from the cover:
Ninetten years ago, a famous filmmaker disappeared from LA, taking his two children to a desolate corner of New Mexico. There he raised them in complete isolation without tv, computer, radio or even a newspaper. Now, at 23, Dorothea leaves in search of her missing brother and ventures into the outside world for the first time. Her search becomes an odyssey of discovery when she meets Stephen Spaulding, a cab driver dealing with his own mysterious history. With him as her guide she uncovers the truth of her family's past and the terrifying day that changed her father forever.
A very unusual book plot line but one that kept me glued to it to find out what happened next. Can't say much in the journal entry without possibly ruining it for the next reader, sorry!
Highly recommend.
Ninetten years ago, a famous filmmaker disappeared from LA, taking his two children to a desolate corner of New Mexico. There he raised them in complete isolation without tv, computer, radio or even a newspaper. Now, at 23, Dorothea leaves in search of her missing brother and ventures into the outside world for the first time. Her search becomes an odyssey of discovery when she meets Stephen Spaulding, a cab driver dealing with his own mysterious history. With him as her guide she uncovers the truth of her family's past and the terrifying day that changed her father forever.
A very unusual book plot line but one that kept me glued to it to find out what happened next. Can't say much in the journal entry without possibly ruining it for the next reader, sorry!
Highly recommend.
Journal Entry 2 by LGinder at Mail in by mail, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Monday, November 26, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (11/26/2007 UTC) at Mail in by mail, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Releasing into covergirl book box.
Releasing into covergirl book box.
I could've sworn this title was on my wishlist, but I couldn't find it there. Then I thought maybe it HAD been on my wishlist & I took it off because I had a copy somewhere on my shelves & didn't remember that I did (HATE it when that happens! LOL!), but it's nowhere to be found, so I'm snagging it now! :') Removing it from the bookbox, in other words!
This one had a very intriguing storyline (& I like the title of the book!). It was also very engrossing & I found that, although I didn't read it in just one or two sittings, I kept finding myself going back soon after I stopped reading because I was curious as to what was going to happen next. My main complaint about this book was the character of Dorothea. I realize that growing up as sheltered as she did, some ignorance on her part is going to be plausible, but I found her character more annoying than anything. In real life, someone like her would drive me crazy! And there were parts of the book that I thought were almost a little too sickeningly sweet. Other than that, though, I very much enjoyed the plotline and the development of the story, alternating between past & present. I'd star rate it as a 7.5 if I could.
Probably going to re-release this into my upcoming bookbox! (I think it'll probably be taken before it gets to you again, LGinder!)
Probably going to re-release this into my upcoming bookbox! (I think it'll probably be taken before it gets to you again, LGinder!)
Okay, I held onto it longer than I'd intended, and now it's coming back your way, LGinder, since I'm putting into sweetsangria's "water" bookbox which is coming to you next. So just smile & pass it on -- I'm sure someone after you will want it! :')
chosen from sweetsangria's Water Bookbox
Loved this book! I have read it in just a few days' time, whenever I could find time to read.
Basically a girl who has been raised in isolation since a very young age leaves home in search of her brother and the first person she meets is a man who has separated himself from his own previous life. Each had events in his or her past which we learn more about as the book progresses. I don't know what else to say without ruining the book for others, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would not mind trying more books by this author after reading this one.
Basically a girl who has been raised in isolation since a very young age leaves home in search of her brother and the first person she meets is a man who has separated himself from his own previous life. Each had events in his or her past which we learn more about as the book progresses. I don't know what else to say without ruining the book for others, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would not mind trying more books by this author after reading this one.
Adding to bookstogive's General Literature VBB.
Journal Entry 9 by ladybug74 at Bookbox in Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (6/2/2012 UTC) at Bookbox in Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to JennyC1230 as part of a virtual bookbox. I hope you enjoy it!
Received from Bookstogive's General Literature VBB. Thanks for sending it!
My Review: I really loved this story. There were so many facets to the book with different characters who were all connected in some way. Once I started reading it, it was nearly impossible to put down. I've never read this author before, but I plan to look for more of her books!
Saved for a Bookbox.
Saved for a Bookbox.
Putting into the 10th round of Bookstogive's General Literature VBB.
This is an amazing book, I hope someone picks it. ;-)
This is an amazing book, I hope someone picks it. ;-)
Journal Entry 13 by JennyC1230 at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Thursday, January 9, 2014
Released 10 yrs ago (1/9/2014 UTC) at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
If you have found this book, welcome to Bookcrossing and thank you for taking the time to let us know about its journey. Feel free to enjoy the book and pass it along to a friend, neighbor, family member or co-worker, or simply leave it somewhere for another lucky reader to enjoy as you did! This book isn’t your type of read? No problem, don't feel obliged to read it, just be kind enough to help it on its journey.
Sending to dabercro from the General Literature VBB. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
Sending to dabercro from the General Literature VBB. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
Arrived in the mail today. Looking forward to reading this book after reading the reviews. Thanks for sending this along.
I enjoyed this book. A famous and wealthy filmmaker disappears with his two young children. He raises them in complete isolation in New Mexico. When the children become adults, Jimmy leaves home in search of answers. Dorothea goes in search of her missing brother. They will learn the truth of their family's past and the events that lead to their father "abducting" them.
Journal Entry 16 by dabercro at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Thursday, March 20, 2014
Released 10 yrs ago (3/19/2014 UTC) at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Aberpeter in WA.
thank you dabercro.
I was very much engrossed in this book and did not want to put it down.
Dorothea and her brother Jimmy are raised in isolation from the outside world. At the age of 23, Jimmy leaves home in search of answers. Shortly after, his 21 year old sister leaves and tries to find her brother. In searching for answers they learn that everything they once thought was true was nothing more than an elaborate lie.
Dorothea and her brother Jimmy are raised in isolation from the outside world. At the age of 23, Jimmy leaves home in search of answers. Shortly after, his 21 year old sister leaves and tries to find her brother. In searching for answers they learn that everything they once thought was true was nothing more than an elaborate lie.
sending to NancyNova as part of the wishlist tag game.
Got the book. Thanks. I have no idea why I had this on my wishlist. Probably heard of it somewhere. Adding to the TBR sooner/tagged stash.
Pulled to read for the "O" bookring.
well, the O bookbox didn't happen, so now pulled for the "T" author bookring
rabck from aberpeter; the first 3/4 was a page turner. 19 years ago a famous filmmaker disappeared with his two kids and raises them in a desolate location in New Mexico. Mom was never able to find them. Then after Grandma dies at "the sanctuary", Jimmy who remembers his Mom runs away to "missouri" the place that grandma reveals to him. Dorothea, his sister, without really knowing much about the outside world, and thankfully Stephen, ex-doc turned taxi driver picks her up at the bus station. He helps her find Jimmy, who has been committed to a mental hospital. The rest of the story about the family getting back together and sorting out memories, dreams and fiction seems a bit forced. But like that Dorothea will stay with Stephen, Dad finally getting the health care he needs and Mom happy reconnecting with her now grown kids.
Journal Entry 24 by 
NancyNova
at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Saturday, October 21, 2023
NancyNova at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Saturday, October 21, 2023
Released 6 mos ago (10/22/2023 UTC) at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
If you aren't familiar with Bookcrossing, take a few minutes to check out this very cool site. Bookcrossers LOVE books, and more than anything, they love to read books and then set them free for other people to find and enjoy. I would love it if you would leave a journal entry -- you can say where you found the book or how you liked it when you read it. Then, when you are ready, pass it along for someone else to enjoy!
Thanks and happy reading!
Thanks and happy reading!
Journal Entry 25 by freezone at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, October 30, 2023
I could swear that I was just reading about this book a few days ago. Looking forward to trying it out. Came via the ABC (already been crossed) book box....
As everyone has mentioned, this is a compulsively readable book: I picked it up each time I could to keep reading. One reason is that it didn't have any filler: it was always either moving ahead with action, or showing you more about the main characters and their feelings. As I kept trying to figure out what was going to happen and "whodunit", I made some wrong guesses. Not sure if there were actual red herrings in the book, or whether I was just trying to make it more of a mystery than it was.
Ultimately, it's about childhood trauma continuing into adulthood, and how we may do our best and still hurt others whom we love. And the challenges of loving and growing, despite the fear of being hurt. All that, but the reader is never hit over the head with those themes: instead, we are following the different characters through this taut, suspenseful story.
Like others here: I highly recommend.
Ultimately, it's about childhood trauma continuing into adulthood, and how we may do our best and still hurt others whom we love. And the challenges of loving and growing, despite the fear of being hurt. All that, but the reader is never hit over the head with those themes: instead, we are following the different characters through this taut, suspenseful story.
Like others here: I highly recommend.
Journal Entry 27 by freezone at Traveler Restaurant, 1257 Buckley Highway (UBCZ) in Union, Connecticut USA on Monday, February 19, 2024
Released 2 mos ago (2/19/2024 UTC) at Traveler Restaurant, 1257 Buckley Highway (UBCZ) in Union, Connecticut USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
at the famous Traveler restaurant: a haven for readers!
