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6 Seconds of Life
Maura has just jumped.
Now she has precisely six seconds until she hits the water below her--just six more seconds until she is finally freed from her mundane and aimless existence. Freed of all of the regrets and disappointments that have haunted her throughout her nineteen years.
She just needs to be free.
But as she falls, the most pivotal points of her life start to replay like a movie in her head: her family falling apart, her first love, her first heartbreak, and her first betrayal. As she remembers these moments that brought her to this point, will she feel a sense of peace? Or will her death be her greatest regret?
"6 Seconds of Life" is a new adult novel that not only explores the ups and downs of college life, but the ups and downs of life as we know it.
**Available as an e-book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smaswords**
**Available as a paperback on Amazon and Create Space**
www.tonyafitzharris.com
Now she has precisely six seconds until she hits the water below her--just six more seconds until she is finally freed from her mundane and aimless existence. Freed of all of the regrets and disappointments that have haunted her throughout her nineteen years.
She just needs to be free.
But as she falls, the most pivotal points of her life start to replay like a movie in her head: her family falling apart, her first love, her first heartbreak, and her first betrayal. As she remembers these moments that brought her to this point, will she feel a sense of peace? Or will her death be her greatest regret?
"6 Seconds of Life" is a new adult novel that not only explores the ups and downs of college life, but the ups and downs of life as we know it.
**Available as an e-book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smaswords**
**Available as a paperback on Amazon and Create Space**
www.tonyafitzharris.com
303 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
1067 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Fitzharris
2 books23 followersTonya Fitzharris is a writer, reader, blogger, mediocre cook, photographer, runner, Florida native, and cat lover. She used to be a Middle School English Teacher, but now she’s trying out the whole novel writing thing. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and her Belgian cat named Waffles.
Visit her website to learn more!
www.tonyafitzharris.com
Visit her website to learn more!
www.tonyafitzharris.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 29, 2012
When I first saw this, and read what it was about, I was intrigued. A girl who steps off a bridge and has six seconds before she crashes into the sea - six seconds to reflect on her life, to think about her relationship with her parents, with her boyfriend, to think about the utter mess that her life had become. I was so curious to see how the author could manage to write a story that covered the span of six seconds and if it would work.
Let me tell you, Tonya Fitzharris rocked it.
I loved the way it was set out. A little bit of time was spent at the beginning just setting the scene; it didn't just randomly jump to the suicide. Maura's state of mind was presented clearly. There was this wonderful alternation between past and present, yet not overly so. Even within memories, other past moments intersected - and the beauty of it was that it all made perfect sense. Snippets of Maura's life were expertly crafted into dialogue and letters, and the overall effect of it was to give this brilliantly complete image of her life and how time was passing.
Reading from Maura's perspective was...intense. It was so easy to feel like what it was to be in her head. She is an incredibly tense character. At the same time it's obvious she's broken, and the stem of it all is her parents. So many times I wanted to snap at them to just get it together. Her father needed to move on with his life and actually be there rather than just lecture at her and dictate terms; her mother needed to get out of this ridiculous Victorian notion of a woman, live in the real world, grow a backbone and also stick with it when she wanted to have a real conversation with her daughter rather than abandon her when it got too tough. With all the strains and secrets of their marriage it's no wonder their already sensitive daughter was coming apart at the seams.
I was completely swept up in the downward spiral that was Maura's life. I felt for her and was frustrated with her at the same time. She wasn't exactly helping herself, and I wanted her to try and regain some control of her life. But clearly she didn't know how to do that and the people around her weren't helping. Normally I would have been utterly annoyed at how she was losing herself yet Fitzharris made me want to reach out to her instead. I was especially glad to see her challenge her mother at the end and try and force her out of that bubble she lived in almost perpetually.
Owen also led to a softening of my heart. It was quite weird, because in a way he did help in making Maura's life worsee by repeatedly behaving in a way that was totally unnecessary and he encouraged her to be more like him. At the same time he took the time to actually get to know Maura and despite everything else he was actually serious about her. It was sad to see what happened between them and sort of strange to be able to identify with both of their sides. They reminded me of Abby and Travis in Beautiful Disaster.
The ending I think I saw coming. It was kind of the opposite of what I wanted, but I'm just that way and it was still wrapped up neatly. It put the finishing touches on what turned out to be a wonderful, emotional read. 6 Seconds of Life is about a girl who struggles to cope with events in her life and who suffers and is tormented to the point that she can't bear it any longer; it's about a girl whose exhaustion is so palpable it's as if you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. I'd definitely recommend that you read it as soon as you can if it sounds like your thing.
A big thank you to the author for giving me a copy in exchnage for an honest review.
This review is also posted on my blog.
Let me tell you, Tonya Fitzharris rocked it.
I loved the way it was set out. A little bit of time was spent at the beginning just setting the scene; it didn't just randomly jump to the suicide. Maura's state of mind was presented clearly. There was this wonderful alternation between past and present, yet not overly so. Even within memories, other past moments intersected - and the beauty of it was that it all made perfect sense. Snippets of Maura's life were expertly crafted into dialogue and letters, and the overall effect of it was to give this brilliantly complete image of her life and how time was passing.
Reading from Maura's perspective was...intense. It was so easy to feel like what it was to be in her head. She is an incredibly tense character. At the same time it's obvious she's broken, and the stem of it all is her parents. So many times I wanted to snap at them to just get it together. Her father needed to move on with his life and actually be there rather than just lecture at her and dictate terms; her mother needed to get out of this ridiculous Victorian notion of a woman, live in the real world, grow a backbone and also stick with it when she wanted to have a real conversation with her daughter rather than abandon her when it got too tough. With all the strains and secrets of their marriage it's no wonder their already sensitive daughter was coming apart at the seams.
I was completely swept up in the downward spiral that was Maura's life. I felt for her and was frustrated with her at the same time. She wasn't exactly helping herself, and I wanted her to try and regain some control of her life. But clearly she didn't know how to do that and the people around her weren't helping. Normally I would have been utterly annoyed at how she was losing herself yet Fitzharris made me want to reach out to her instead. I was especially glad to see her challenge her mother at the end and try and force her out of that bubble she lived in almost perpetually.
Owen also led to a softening of my heart. It was quite weird, because in a way he did help in making Maura's life worsee by repeatedly behaving in a way that was totally unnecessary and he encouraged her to be more like him. At the same time he took the time to actually get to know Maura and despite everything else he was actually serious about her. It was sad to see what happened between them and sort of strange to be able to identify with both of their sides. They reminded me of Abby and Travis in Beautiful Disaster.
The ending I think I saw coming. It was kind of the opposite of what I wanted, but I'm just that way and it was still wrapped up neatly. It put the finishing touches on what turned out to be a wonderful, emotional read. 6 Seconds of Life is about a girl who struggles to cope with events in her life and who suffers and is tormented to the point that she can't bear it any longer; it's about a girl whose exhaustion is so palpable it's as if you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. I'd definitely recommend that you read it as soon as you can if it sounds like your thing.
A big thank you to the author for giving me a copy in exchnage for an honest review.
This review is also posted on my blog.
November 9, 2012
6 Seconds of Life by Tonya Fitzharris
I have to say first I don’t even know where to start with this review besides WOW!!
Tonya Fitzharris has shared with us a very emotional, well written novel. 6 Seconds of Life is a book that you must or I may even say should read. The plot was well written, characters in her book were described beautifully and at times it was disheartening to me what Maura had gone through.
So not to give anything away but Maura is at the end and cannot handle anything more and decides to jump off a bridge and end the pain, this story is about the memories she has her last 6 seconds of life. I have to commend Tonya Fitzharris in writing this deep, dark novel and say you have done a fantastic job. I’ve said in a few reviews that if an author can make you feel true feelings that she is one terrific author, job well done Tonya.
You see flashes of Maura’s life in high school through College and its friggen heart breaking to see how she came up with the decision to end it all. Even as I write this review thinking of this story it brings tears to my eyes. I was pissed at her parents, her friends and just plain pissed that someone so young had to face so much, OMG this poor girl.
Maura character is written so well you feel like your reading about a very real person not a character in a book, the things she has had to deal with in her young life broke my heart , the depression and lack of self worth is clear as you read this novel. I bet there are many young people who can relate to some of the feelings Maura has and hope and pray for anyone who experiences some of these feelings can reach out and get help before the contemplate suicide.
I could go on and on about 6 Seconds of Life and Tonya’s writing but all I will say is that I highly recommend this book and I mean highly. It’s worth the cost and the time it takes to read Maura’s story.
I have rated 6 Seconds of Life a 5 star rating, I can’t forget parts of this book and I truly felt for Maura and her pain seemed so real to me. And I really was shocked with the ending!
Go now to Amazon and pick up a copy.
I have to say first I don’t even know where to start with this review besides WOW!!
Tonya Fitzharris has shared with us a very emotional, well written novel. 6 Seconds of Life is a book that you must or I may even say should read. The plot was well written, characters in her book were described beautifully and at times it was disheartening to me what Maura had gone through.
So not to give anything away but Maura is at the end and cannot handle anything more and decides to jump off a bridge and end the pain, this story is about the memories she has her last 6 seconds of life. I have to commend Tonya Fitzharris in writing this deep, dark novel and say you have done a fantastic job. I’ve said in a few reviews that if an author can make you feel true feelings that she is one terrific author, job well done Tonya.
You see flashes of Maura’s life in high school through College and its friggen heart breaking to see how she came up with the decision to end it all. Even as I write this review thinking of this story it brings tears to my eyes. I was pissed at her parents, her friends and just plain pissed that someone so young had to face so much, OMG this poor girl.
Maura character is written so well you feel like your reading about a very real person not a character in a book, the things she has had to deal with in her young life broke my heart , the depression and lack of self worth is clear as you read this novel. I bet there are many young people who can relate to some of the feelings Maura has and hope and pray for anyone who experiences some of these feelings can reach out and get help before the contemplate suicide.
I could go on and on about 6 Seconds of Life and Tonya’s writing but all I will say is that I highly recommend this book and I mean highly. It’s worth the cost and the time it takes to read Maura’s story.
I have rated 6 Seconds of Life a 5 star rating, I can’t forget parts of this book and I truly felt for Maura and her pain seemed so real to me. And I really was shocked with the ending!
Go now to Amazon and pick up a copy.
June 4, 2015
3.5 Stars
6 Seconds of Life is a new adult book that focuses on the life of a college student named Maura, which each second that passing her descent towards the water below her we get to see a tiny piece of her life and the actions that made her take that final step towards ending everything.
This is definitely not a lighter novel, but it was one that I ended up being pleasantly surprised about. It was one of those books I had tucked into the dark corners of my kindle, and I just so happened to randomly draw it’s number on a slow day at the store. It tackles the tough subjects of suicide, mental illness, bullying, and divorce (and a few others but I don’t want to spoil any of the story for you), and I think it does so in a way that’s easy to understand and relate to, even if you’ve never found yourself in any of those situations. I did appreciate that the voice and tone of the novel stayed true to Maura’s voice, and didn’t deviate into purple prose or perfect philosophies that many of the books like this tend to do. It’s nice on occasion but most of the time it’s just necessary to have a book with a real voice.
The story itself takes a bit of build up as each little piece of the puzzle falls into place, but for a 300 page book it’s actually a fairly quick read and I managed it all in one sitting. There are some moments where Maura spins so out of control that I wanted to shake her, but everything she did…it just made sense. It’s rare that I find a character that I actually ‘get’ despite them handling things way differently than I would. I saw the reasons for her lack of trust and for her partying in college, I saw the reasons why she felt alone and couldn’t talk to anymore. And I think that alone is what made this one worth reading.
Overall I’m glad I blew the dust off of this one and gave it a try! It has some kinks here and there, but overall it was enjoyable and heartfelt. Definitely a great book for discussion.
6 Seconds of Life is a new adult book that focuses on the life of a college student named Maura, which each second that passing her descent towards the water below her we get to see a tiny piece of her life and the actions that made her take that final step towards ending everything.
This is definitely not a lighter novel, but it was one that I ended up being pleasantly surprised about. It was one of those books I had tucked into the dark corners of my kindle, and I just so happened to randomly draw it’s number on a slow day at the store. It tackles the tough subjects of suicide, mental illness, bullying, and divorce (and a few others but I don’t want to spoil any of the story for you), and I think it does so in a way that’s easy to understand and relate to, even if you’ve never found yourself in any of those situations. I did appreciate that the voice and tone of the novel stayed true to Maura’s voice, and didn’t deviate into purple prose or perfect philosophies that many of the books like this tend to do. It’s nice on occasion but most of the time it’s just necessary to have a book with a real voice.
The story itself takes a bit of build up as each little piece of the puzzle falls into place, but for a 300 page book it’s actually a fairly quick read and I managed it all in one sitting. There are some moments where Maura spins so out of control that I wanted to shake her, but everything she did…it just made sense. It’s rare that I find a character that I actually ‘get’ despite them handling things way differently than I would. I saw the reasons for her lack of trust and for her partying in college, I saw the reasons why she felt alone and couldn’t talk to anymore. And I think that alone is what made this one worth reading.
Overall I’m glad I blew the dust off of this one and gave it a try! It has some kinks here and there, but overall it was enjoyable and heartfelt. Definitely a great book for discussion.
March 12, 2013
It would be odd to say that I enjoyed this novel because there is little enjoyment in spending time in the company of a depressed teenager with anxiety disorder. Reading 6 Seconds of Life was like watching a trainwreck. What else can you expect, given that the novel opens with Maura jumping off the Golden Gate bridge?
As she falls, she recounts the events that had the most impact on her life and the decision to end it. I loved how unreliable the narrator was; we know that she has some issues of her own, but there's no telling whether her behavior is the trigger for some events or whether she was just unfortunate enough to be surrounded by people who (seemingly) don't care enough.
The thing that intrigued me most about this novel was the ending. How do you wrap it up? What can possibly happen? Can there be a positive ending, or a satisfactory closure in any way?
The novel needed some editing, there were many places were words were obviously missing or misspelled (too/to/two and such).
6 Seconds of Life was a tough one to go through. It seems like Maura's entire life is a long descent into darkness which makes this book an emotional read.
As she falls, she recounts the events that had the most impact on her life and the decision to end it. I loved how unreliable the narrator was; we know that she has some issues of her own, but there's no telling whether her behavior is the trigger for some events or whether she was just unfortunate enough to be surrounded by people who (seemingly) don't care enough.
The thing that intrigued me most about this novel was the ending. How do you wrap it up? What can possibly happen? Can there be a positive ending, or a satisfactory closure in any way?
The novel needed some editing, there were many places were words were obviously missing or misspelled (too/to/two and such).
6 Seconds of Life was a tough one to go through. It seems like Maura's entire life is a long descent into darkness which makes this book an emotional read.
October 16, 2012
This book is breathtaking, and very realistic. It's also tragic on so many different levels. The way that Maura is treated throughout her life is something I can easily relate to, and I feel a strong bond to her. My favourite part was definitely 0:00 seconds in the book.
Cover/format of book/writing style
Since this book is more contemporary I would've liked to see a more contemporary cover. However this is cute and suiting. The format of the book kept you engaged. It starts in the present, then skips to the past and works its way back up. I like the journal entries she has incorporated. I also enjoyed Fitzharris' writing style, it was in first person, and was suitable for the age range of the book.
Main character..
I really felt depressed for Maura. As I said above, I could relate to some of the feelings that she felt in the book. It is so sad that no one noticed her enough to lead up to that tragic morning.
I really liked this book, and recommend reading it. If you liked Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall, I think you'll like this one too!
Cover/format of book/writing style
Since this book is more contemporary I would've liked to see a more contemporary cover. However this is cute and suiting. The format of the book kept you engaged. It starts in the present, then skips to the past and works its way back up. I like the journal entries she has incorporated. I also enjoyed Fitzharris' writing style, it was in first person, and was suitable for the age range of the book.
Main character..
I really felt depressed for Maura. As I said above, I could relate to some of the feelings that she felt in the book. It is so sad that no one noticed her enough to lead up to that tragic morning.
I really liked this book, and recommend reading it. If you liked Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall, I think you'll like this one too!
October 31, 2012
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Maura's life has fallen apart to the point at which she wants to die. In fact, she's jumping off the bridge and having her life replayed before her eyes right as you read. This novel is told as excerpts from her life in a breathtaking and spellbinding 6 seconds of text.
I applied for this book, because mental illness is one of my favourite areas to read about. Someone jumping off a bridge immediately caught my fancy. The cover looked pretty neat too, although it turns out that the red dress is really not all that important.
Only occasionally did the text and dialogue not flow for me - the rest of the time I was so suckered into the story that I didn't care. The various plot points were good, all interwoven really well. Loved the dollhouse, and its special significance for Maura as well.
The book immediately sucked me in. I was really happy up until the point that she jumped, and then the drop into the past seemed quite major. There were a couple of time shifts in this that had me confused, namely because it looked like she skipped from 9th grade to college very quickly.
There's a couple of bits that seemed inconsistent to me - including the size of Maura's breasts. Sorry to be so crude and mention them and all. You'll note that on the cover they are quite small. At various points in the novel though, they are referred to as being out of proportion with the rest of her body, and she's very 'hot'. Perhaps it is a reflection of her poor body image that the text sometimes says they are small?
Maura's thought processes get quite confused as the novel progresses. It appears she has anxiety and depression, perhaps a bit of PTSD. I felt really sorry for her actually, and I felt that although she had made some bad decisions, it wasn't really her fault - that's what mental illness does to a person. It's strangely appropriate to be reviewing this in October, as this is Depression Awareness Month.
This novel illuminated to me some of the things that go on in frat houses in the USA. I'm slightly relieved that we don't really have such things in Australia, as they sound like horrific drinking parties. The special week of induction and everything else was fascinating!
I loved this book. The ending had me a little disappointed but I guess this is young adult fiction for a reason and not everyone thinks in the same way as I do. Most people will probably be relieved by it - it offers hope in a strange way.
I sincerely hope that Fitzharris keeps writing novels in this genre, and with her fantastic style. I can see this book being unsuitable for younger teens, but I think for older teens (those who have encountered or have a healthy curiosity about sex) it is a fantastic and eyeopening read. This novel for me was really on par with some of the Julie Anne Peters novels that I love - the one that springs to mind on a similar topic is 'By The Time You Read This I'll Be Dead'.
Five stars from me - the minor things I've complained about didn't detract from my enjoyment. The only thing that did was that my ereader ran out of battery right at a crucial part of the novel, and I had to stop and wait until I got home to finish reading it! Well worth the $5 it is on Amazon, and I'd consider buying myself copies of Fitzharris' future books in paperback form.
I received this book as part of a blog tour. This did not influence my review in any way.
Maura's life has fallen apart to the point at which she wants to die. In fact, she's jumping off the bridge and having her life replayed before her eyes right as you read. This novel is told as excerpts from her life in a breathtaking and spellbinding 6 seconds of text.
I applied for this book, because mental illness is one of my favourite areas to read about. Someone jumping off a bridge immediately caught my fancy. The cover looked pretty neat too, although it turns out that the red dress is really not all that important.
Only occasionally did the text and dialogue not flow for me - the rest of the time I was so suckered into the story that I didn't care. The various plot points were good, all interwoven really well. Loved the dollhouse, and its special significance for Maura as well.
The book immediately sucked me in. I was really happy up until the point that she jumped, and then the drop into the past seemed quite major. There were a couple of time shifts in this that had me confused, namely because it looked like she skipped from 9th grade to college very quickly.
There's a couple of bits that seemed inconsistent to me - including the size of Maura's breasts. Sorry to be so crude and mention them and all. You'll note that on the cover they are quite small. At various points in the novel though, they are referred to as being out of proportion with the rest of her body, and she's very 'hot'. Perhaps it is a reflection of her poor body image that the text sometimes says they are small?
Maura's thought processes get quite confused as the novel progresses. It appears she has anxiety and depression, perhaps a bit of PTSD. I felt really sorry for her actually, and I felt that although she had made some bad decisions, it wasn't really her fault - that's what mental illness does to a person. It's strangely appropriate to be reviewing this in October, as this is Depression Awareness Month.
This novel illuminated to me some of the things that go on in frat houses in the USA. I'm slightly relieved that we don't really have such things in Australia, as they sound like horrific drinking parties. The special week of induction and everything else was fascinating!
I loved this book. The ending had me a little disappointed but I guess this is young adult fiction for a reason and not everyone thinks in the same way as I do. Most people will probably be relieved by it - it offers hope in a strange way.
I sincerely hope that Fitzharris keeps writing novels in this genre, and with her fantastic style. I can see this book being unsuitable for younger teens, but I think for older teens (those who have encountered or have a healthy curiosity about sex) it is a fantastic and eyeopening read. This novel for me was really on par with some of the Julie Anne Peters novels that I love - the one that springs to mind on a similar topic is 'By The Time You Read This I'll Be Dead'.
Five stars from me - the minor things I've complained about didn't detract from my enjoyment. The only thing that did was that my ereader ran out of battery right at a crucial part of the novel, and I had to stop and wait until I got home to finish reading it! Well worth the $5 it is on Amazon, and I'd consider buying myself copies of Fitzharris' future books in paperback form.
I received this book as part of a blog tour. This did not influence my review in any way.
November 14, 2012
ORIGINAL REVIEW AT Little Book Star
Rate: 4.5/5
Wow this book is something! You guys have to read it. Just by looking at the cover, I know I had to read this book because I knew I would relate to the story somehow. And I wasn’t wrong. When Maura commits suicide by jumping off a bridge, during the 6 seconds she’s on air, she remembers all of the tragedies, hatred, and pain she felt which we get to read. This book is wonderfully written, and I swear you will relate to it. I guarantee you that you will feel what Maura’s feeling because the whole story is just so realistic. It was written in 1st person and the author did a fabulous job. I was sinked into the story right away and I even cried guys. I’m not a crying person with books, but I did in this novel.
I really like how per chapter, it stated how many seconds were left before Maura hit the water. Within those seconds, Maura has flashbacks of her miserable life and the real reason why she chose to commit suicide. Maura is a 19 year old (I think, or 18?) freshmen in college, but we also got to see her senior year and how she chose her college – which is the setting of the novel.
Maura has so much problems with her family, boyfriend, her emotions, but most of all fitting in. Her character isn’t the “popular” teenager with a bunch of friends blah blah blah. She’s the one who really really tries to fit in, and no matter how hard she tries, she only gets herself in one of the worst situations.
As the book progresses, we see how her life becomes worse and worse (especially when she joins the sorority) until she tells herself she has no choice but to escape her horrible life by killing herself. At first, the problem wasn’t really her fault, so I understood her situation there, but when it got halfway through the book, I was just like “okay, you’re the one putting yourself in those situations.” But again, she has all those pain kept inside her chest which just kept building up. Because she doesn’t have anyone to talk to about her situation, I understand why she’s acting so careless and “I don’t give a damn” kind of person.
The only thing I didn’t really like was that the book ended all of a sudden. I was like “WHAT!? WHY DOES IT ALREADY SAYS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS?” There were a few typos as well, and just to warn you there are cuss words here and there. No kidding though, this book felt so real. I could even see some of my personality in Maura’s character. Struggling with fitting in is definitely one of the challenges I have faced, and still is facing once in a while, but like Maura, I remind myself to not give a __ and live life I want it to be. But sometimes, we can’t help but just break down when we feel so overwhelmed with what life is throwing at us.
I super duper ultra mega recommend this book especially if you’re in high school or in college. 6 Seconds of Life gives you something to think about, it isn’t just a story to tell you a story. It’s such a good book that I even jot down some quotes from the book. I also thought about being a psychologist which is a course I don’t even have interest in not until I read this book. It was mentioned in the book and a few details about it and it sounded really interesting to me. This book affected me in lots of ways and I hope you guys will experience the same thing when you read 6 Seconds of Life.
Rate: 4.5/5
Wow this book is something! You guys have to read it. Just by looking at the cover, I know I had to read this book because I knew I would relate to the story somehow. And I wasn’t wrong. When Maura commits suicide by jumping off a bridge, during the 6 seconds she’s on air, she remembers all of the tragedies, hatred, and pain she felt which we get to read. This book is wonderfully written, and I swear you will relate to it. I guarantee you that you will feel what Maura’s feeling because the whole story is just so realistic. It was written in 1st person and the author did a fabulous job. I was sinked into the story right away and I even cried guys. I’m not a crying person with books, but I did in this novel.
I really like how per chapter, it stated how many seconds were left before Maura hit the water. Within those seconds, Maura has flashbacks of her miserable life and the real reason why she chose to commit suicide. Maura is a 19 year old (I think, or 18?) freshmen in college, but we also got to see her senior year and how she chose her college – which is the setting of the novel.
Maura has so much problems with her family, boyfriend, her emotions, but most of all fitting in. Her character isn’t the “popular” teenager with a bunch of friends blah blah blah. She’s the one who really really tries to fit in, and no matter how hard she tries, she only gets herself in one of the worst situations.
As the book progresses, we see how her life becomes worse and worse (especially when she joins the sorority) until she tells herself she has no choice but to escape her horrible life by killing herself. At first, the problem wasn’t really her fault, so I understood her situation there, but when it got halfway through the book, I was just like “okay, you’re the one putting yourself in those situations.” But again, she has all those pain kept inside her chest which just kept building up. Because she doesn’t have anyone to talk to about her situation, I understand why she’s acting so careless and “I don’t give a damn” kind of person.
The only thing I didn’t really like was that the book ended all of a sudden. I was like “WHAT!? WHY DOES IT ALREADY SAYS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS?” There were a few typos as well, and just to warn you there are cuss words here and there. No kidding though, this book felt so real. I could even see some of my personality in Maura’s character. Struggling with fitting in is definitely one of the challenges I have faced, and still is facing once in a while, but like Maura, I remind myself to not give a __ and live life I want it to be. But sometimes, we can’t help but just break down when we feel so overwhelmed with what life is throwing at us.
I super duper ultra mega recommend this book especially if you’re in high school or in college. 6 Seconds of Life gives you something to think about, it isn’t just a story to tell you a story. It’s such a good book that I even jot down some quotes from the book. I also thought about being a psychologist which is a course I don’t even have interest in not until I read this book. It was mentioned in the book and a few details about it and it sounded really interesting to me. This book affected me in lots of ways and I hope you guys will experience the same thing when you read 6 Seconds of Life.
March 26, 2014
Disturbing and emotional. I did not shed a tear but 6 Seconds of Life broke my heart.
My heart ached for Maura. She's insecure and unstable and emotionally abused. What hurt the most was that the abuse came from the people who should be the first to take care of her. I'm not going to enumerate the things that pushed her into wanting to end her own life because those will make a long list. Just know that those things are so horrible that no teenager should be shouldering them, especially alone. When she met Owen, I thought maybe he could help her. Maura thought so, too. And in fairness to Owen, he did try. And I believe there really was something real between him and Maura until college life and Greek society pulled them apart. Speaking of Greek, I just want to say that Maura's sorority sisters were bitches. Sisterhood, my ass. I've never read such a joke of a sorority as this book's Theta Beta. Abandoning a sister is sisterhood? Calling her a whore and a liar in front of everyone is? Gods, I was so angry at those girls. They were really pathetic. Burn in hell, bitches!
What stuck with me the most is that Maura really did try to change. She wanted to be happy and for a time, she was. She found love and a family. She felt that she belonged. At least until the very people who welcomed her betrayed and abandoned her. I didn't like that she resorted to alcohol, but I understand why she did it. That wanting to just forget everything and drown your sorrows even for a moment. Maura's life was just so sad and painful that ending it seemed like the only way out of it.
6 Seconds of Life is a poignant and touching read. It's very well written and I love the flow of the story and the words used. Tonya Fitzharris sure knows how to pierce a hole in your heart. The story's realistic and relatable. These things happen and most of the times, the person suffering from them just chooses to stay silent and keep them all in until they explode. I think what this book is trying to tell us is that we don't have to be alone. We can seek help and there are people who could give it to us if we only let them. Maura isolated herself because she thought she could do it alone. In my opinion, that's her first and biggest mistake.
I was kinda expecting the ending but I still liked it. It was really good and I was glad that .
I definitely recommend 6 Seconds of Life if you're looking for something heart-wrenching but not too heavy.
My heart ached for Maura. She's insecure and unstable and emotionally abused. What hurt the most was that the abuse came from the people who should be the first to take care of her. I'm not going to enumerate the things that pushed her into wanting to end her own life because those will make a long list. Just know that those things are so horrible that no teenager should be shouldering them, especially alone. When she met Owen, I thought maybe he could help her. Maura thought so, too. And in fairness to Owen, he did try. And I believe there really was something real between him and Maura until college life and Greek society pulled them apart. Speaking of Greek, I just want to say that Maura's sorority sisters were bitches. Sisterhood, my ass. I've never read such a joke of a sorority as this book's Theta Beta. Abandoning a sister is sisterhood? Calling her a whore and a liar in front of everyone is? Gods, I was so angry at those girls. They were really pathetic. Burn in hell, bitches!
What stuck with me the most is that Maura really did try to change. She wanted to be happy and for a time, she was. She found love and a family. She felt that she belonged. At least until the very people who welcomed her betrayed and abandoned her. I didn't like that she resorted to alcohol, but I understand why she did it. That wanting to just forget everything and drown your sorrows even for a moment. Maura's life was just so sad and painful that ending it seemed like the only way out of it.
6 Seconds of Life is a poignant and touching read. It's very well written and I love the flow of the story and the words used. Tonya Fitzharris sure knows how to pierce a hole in your heart. The story's realistic and relatable. These things happen and most of the times, the person suffering from them just chooses to stay silent and keep them all in until they explode. I think what this book is trying to tell us is that we don't have to be alone. We can seek help and there are people who could give it to us if we only let them. Maura isolated herself because she thought she could do it alone. In my opinion, that's her first and biggest mistake.
I was kinda expecting the ending but I still liked it. It was really good and I was glad that .
I definitely recommend 6 Seconds of Life if you're looking for something heart-wrenching but not too heavy.
November 21, 2012
Wow! This was a really intense and gut-wrenching read dealing with depression and suicide. It made me want to cry, made me want to shake the main character, made me want to scream at her parents, made me want to punch out her supposed friend. An author who can make me feel so strongly is doing something right in my opinion.
Maura has just jumped from a bridge in an attempt at suicide. Told in snippets that start in high school and end in college, we see glimpses of the major events that have shaped Maura's life and brought her to rock bottom. There are large gaps in time which may be jarring to some readers, but I found that it enhanced the feeling that Maura is falling and we're just seeing those moments that flash before her eyes.
Maura is one of the best-written characters I've come across in a long time. She is an utterly damaged person. She has a severe lack of self-esteem and crippling depression that overshadow her relationships with every person she meets. She acknowledges that her life is a disaster but has no idea how to make things right. Her attempts to improve her life are really just cries for help. She becomes obsessive and jealous about her boyfriend. She becomes a borderline alcoholic to loosen up and have fun. Despite her desire to form normal relationships and fit in, she continues to spiral out of control to the point where she feels she has nothing left anymore and the world would be a better place without her. This was really quite an amazing and intimate look at a person struggling with their own self-worth.
As for the plot, I found it absolutely compelling. I knew where things were going to end. I'm not giving anything away when I tell you that she jumps. But throughout, I just kept hoping that something would change for her. From one event to the next I wanted more.
This was a very well-written and compelling read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for realistic fiction that doesn't mind subject matter that's a little bit dark.
Maura has just jumped from a bridge in an attempt at suicide. Told in snippets that start in high school and end in college, we see glimpses of the major events that have shaped Maura's life and brought her to rock bottom. There are large gaps in time which may be jarring to some readers, but I found that it enhanced the feeling that Maura is falling and we're just seeing those moments that flash before her eyes.
Maura is one of the best-written characters I've come across in a long time. She is an utterly damaged person. She has a severe lack of self-esteem and crippling depression that overshadow her relationships with every person she meets. She acknowledges that her life is a disaster but has no idea how to make things right. Her attempts to improve her life are really just cries for help. She becomes obsessive and jealous about her boyfriend. She becomes a borderline alcoholic to loosen up and have fun. Despite her desire to form normal relationships and fit in, she continues to spiral out of control to the point where she feels she has nothing left anymore and the world would be a better place without her. This was really quite an amazing and intimate look at a person struggling with their own self-worth.
As for the plot, I found it absolutely compelling. I knew where things were going to end. I'm not giving anything away when I tell you that she jumps. But throughout, I just kept hoping that something would change for her. From one event to the next I wanted more.
This was a very well-written and compelling read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for realistic fiction that doesn't mind subject matter that's a little bit dark.
October 24, 2012
[FOR MORE REVIEW, CHECK OUT : http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.com/]
The blurb of 6 Seconds of Life had definitely caught my attention, with its first sentence being so captivating yet vague, it kept reader guessing about what this book would be about. And when I had finished reading it, the feeling still lingered for quite a long time.
This book introduced us to Maura Yermakova who struggled with her life and her family. Being faced with a shattering family, dull school life, and constant pain and pressure, Maura thought that leaving this world would be her only salvation. And that what she was about to do. Jumping off a ledge. Suicide.
I love how Tonya kept me intrigued by Maura's life, without telling too much or too little. The read was fantastic from the first sentence, and the story was flowing nicely with Maura told us her life from her point of view.
Maura as the main character was, I think, quite strong and believable. She could stood up for herself, and fight for her belief. I also love when sometimes her action and thoughts clashed with each other and created an emotional conflict, which, after some times, was too much for her.
Another character I like was, surprisingly, Maura's father. It's not like I love his personality, for he is annoying alright. But I love how he seemed so flesh and blood, and yes, pretty much annoying.
One thing I'm not quite fond of this book was it's language. It's quite strange when a teacher who tried to create a good image, swear at her student. Or when a father started to talk to his daughter with a vulgar teen language. It's not so believable.
Overall, I think this book was great, and it was quite rare to see a book that dealt with such a delicate issues like suicide and broken family. If you like contemporary book or some reads that would left you thinking of the story after you had finished reading it long ago, this one is definitely for you.
The blurb of 6 Seconds of Life had definitely caught my attention, with its first sentence being so captivating yet vague, it kept reader guessing about what this book would be about. And when I had finished reading it, the feeling still lingered for quite a long time.
This book introduced us to Maura Yermakova who struggled with her life and her family. Being faced with a shattering family, dull school life, and constant pain and pressure, Maura thought that leaving this world would be her only salvation. And that what she was about to do. Jumping off a ledge. Suicide.
I love how Tonya kept me intrigued by Maura's life, without telling too much or too little. The read was fantastic from the first sentence, and the story was flowing nicely with Maura told us her life from her point of view.
Maura as the main character was, I think, quite strong and believable. She could stood up for herself, and fight for her belief. I also love when sometimes her action and thoughts clashed with each other and created an emotional conflict, which, after some times, was too much for her.
Another character I like was, surprisingly, Maura's father. It's not like I love his personality, for he is annoying alright. But I love how he seemed so flesh and blood, and yes, pretty much annoying.
One thing I'm not quite fond of this book was it's language. It's quite strange when a teacher who tried to create a good image, swear at her student. Or when a father started to talk to his daughter with a vulgar teen language. It's not so believable.
Overall, I think this book was great, and it was quite rare to see a book that dealt with such a delicate issues like suicide and broken family. If you like contemporary book or some reads that would left you thinking of the story after you had finished reading it long ago, this one is definitely for you.
October 18, 2012
Maura is an extremely broken individual. She's withdrawn internally never truly letting anyone get close to her though that seems to be the one thing she desires. Then one day, someone actually sees her and she just begins to trust him, even moves to another side of the country to be with him. Owen, her boyfriend, encourages her to join in the rush activities while in college as he thinks it will get her to be more social. He couldn't be more wrong as things start to turn sour in every aspect of Maura's life. Can she pull it together and pull through or will she call it quits and jump.
6 Seconds is an emotional, raw and infuriating story about suicide. This poor girl endures so much in this book; I want to cry for her. I also wanted her to stop holding everything in and talk about how she felt. Maura comes off as a shy, mousy and crazy young lady but she doesn't know how to cope well in strenuous situations. I was curious the entire time trying to understand what event initiated her emotional downward spiral. My conclusion, absolutely everything contributes to her decision to consider suicide. She does try to fit in college by joining in the sorority scene yet I don't know how partying and drinking makes someone belong. One moment in this book truly made me angry, when Maura attempts to seek guidance from someone she thinks her friend only to see the true ugliness the lies beneath the surface. Overall, my heart went out to Maura, everyone she trusts just ends up disappointing her and she concludes that no one cares about her and she is truly alone. This is a sad story that touches on family issues, infidelity, rape, alcohol abuse and suicide. So load up on tissues.
6 Seconds is an emotional, raw and infuriating story about suicide. This poor girl endures so much in this book; I want to cry for her. I also wanted her to stop holding everything in and talk about how she felt. Maura comes off as a shy, mousy and crazy young lady but she doesn't know how to cope well in strenuous situations. I was curious the entire time trying to understand what event initiated her emotional downward spiral. My conclusion, absolutely everything contributes to her decision to consider suicide. She does try to fit in college by joining in the sorority scene yet I don't know how partying and drinking makes someone belong. One moment in this book truly made me angry, when Maura attempts to seek guidance from someone she thinks her friend only to see the true ugliness the lies beneath the surface. Overall, my heart went out to Maura, everyone she trusts just ends up disappointing her and she concludes that no one cares about her and she is truly alone. This is a sad story that touches on family issues, infidelity, rape, alcohol abuse and suicide. So load up on tissues.
October 19, 2012
There are such things as captivating covers and captivating teasers. And I must say, in this case, the teaser really captivated me. I mean, I knew I had to read this book, and luckily, it was on book tour, so I got to read it, thanks to Tonya Fitzharris. :)
That six seconds is like a very important part of her life. The last six seconds she, Maura, have left to live. In those few precious seconds, Maura had basically relived though her recent part of her life. That part that took her by the hair and angrily shook her up and down. That part led her to do bad things. To break out into the world. To do what she's doing right now. Suicide.
I literally cried through this book, imagining how hard it would be on me, if I was Maura. Like this pain, isn't really something a teenager like Maura should feel. And one pain led to another, leaving her broken like someone breaking glass into pieces, then using a hammer, hammering it to bits. But even though Maura had suffered so much, had she really wanted to die?
The blog tour is located in my blog at http://bookaholicfaggots.blogspot.com. Check out Tonya Fitzharris's guest post! (Post won't be there until October 21st, 2012)
That six seconds is like a very important part of her life. The last six seconds she, Maura, have left to live. In those few precious seconds, Maura had basically relived though her recent part of her life. That part that took her by the hair and angrily shook her up and down. That part led her to do bad things. To break out into the world. To do what she's doing right now. Suicide.
I literally cried through this book, imagining how hard it would be on me, if I was Maura. Like this pain, isn't really something a teenager like Maura should feel. And one pain led to another, leaving her broken like someone breaking glass into pieces, then using a hammer, hammering it to bits. But even though Maura had suffered so much, had she really wanted to die?
The blog tour is located in my blog at http://bookaholicfaggots.blogspot.com. Check out Tonya Fitzharris's guest post! (Post won't be there until October 21st, 2012)
January 29, 2013
I think the idea of 6 Seconds of Life is amazing. What would you think if you had only 6 seconds left to live?
This book tells Maura's story. She's done with life and has decided to end hers. Maura jumps of a bridge in the first chapter. Following are six seconds in which she reflects on her life.
It's interesting to read Maura's story in those flashbacks. While reading the little snippets of her life, you feel for Maura and want to save her life. But, even though Fitzharris writes a lot about Maura's emotions, I didn't feel anything myself. The story barely touched me.
I must also say that there are many, many memories in those six seconds. I don't know if this is realistic, but I get these memories are necessary to understand Maura's final decision.
The idea behind this book is really original and also the writing style is great. It is an easy, quick and enjoyable read. But, on the subject of suicide, I can think of books that impressed and touched me more (for example Veronika decides to Die and Miss Me Not). But, Fitzharris's 6 Seconds of Life wasn't bad at all. A promising debute, I would definitely want to read more of her novels.
This book tells Maura's story. She's done with life and has decided to end hers. Maura jumps of a bridge in the first chapter. Following are six seconds in which she reflects on her life.
It's interesting to read Maura's story in those flashbacks. While reading the little snippets of her life, you feel for Maura and want to save her life. But, even though Fitzharris writes a lot about Maura's emotions, I didn't feel anything myself. The story barely touched me.
I must also say that there are many, many memories in those six seconds. I don't know if this is realistic, but I get these memories are necessary to understand Maura's final decision.
The idea behind this book is really original and also the writing style is great. It is an easy, quick and enjoyable read. But, on the subject of suicide, I can think of books that impressed and touched me more (for example Veronika decides to Die and Miss Me Not). But, Fitzharris's 6 Seconds of Life wasn't bad at all. A promising debute, I would definitely want to read more of her novels.
November 8, 2012
From the moment I read the blurb for 6 Seconds of Life, I just knew I had to read it. I had to find out what would cause a girl to try to take her own life by jumping off a bridge. I have to say this is one of those stories that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
I felt so bad for Maura in this story. She did not have an easy go with life, she had so many things working against her. It has been awhile since I've really connected with a character like I did with Maura. I have felt some of the things she was feeling before, so I completely understand her reactions to certain situations. At times I wished I was right there beside her, so I could stand up for her. Maura really needed a good friend, someone she could count on to be there for her.
Overall, I thought this was an engrossing read and I would definitely recommend reading it. There is some language in this book and it deals with some serious issues, so it might not be suitable for younger readers though.
I felt so bad for Maura in this story. She did not have an easy go with life, she had so many things working against her. It has been awhile since I've really connected with a character like I did with Maura. I have felt some of the things she was feeling before, so I completely understand her reactions to certain situations. At times I wished I was right there beside her, so I could stand up for her. Maura really needed a good friend, someone she could count on to be there for her.
Overall, I thought this was an engrossing read and I would definitely recommend reading it. There is some language in this book and it deals with some serious issues, so it might not be suitable for younger readers though.
December 5, 2012
I won this books through the GoodReads giveaway!
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Actual rating 3.5 stars
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When I originally entered to win 6 Seconds of Life, my life was going well. Then after I entered and soon forgotten that I had entered my brother tried to commit suicide. So once I was notified that I had won a copy of the book, I wanted something that felt real.
Going into the book, I wasn't convinced that it was very realistic. Maura the main character seemed like she just complained a lot. I stuck with it though, and the book began to get a lot deeper, real issues arose, and I began to feel for Maura and her plight.
Because of the beginning, and some of it seeming to YA when it is geared towards adults; also because of the grammatical errors, I gave it 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the middle of the book and towards the end though.
I would definitely read more from this author.
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Actual rating 3.5 stars
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When I originally entered to win 6 Seconds of Life, my life was going well. Then after I entered and soon forgotten that I had entered my brother tried to commit suicide. So once I was notified that I had won a copy of the book, I wanted something that felt real.
Going into the book, I wasn't convinced that it was very realistic. Maura the main character seemed like she just complained a lot. I stuck with it though, and the book began to get a lot deeper, real issues arose, and I began to feel for Maura and her plight.
Because of the beginning, and some of it seeming to YA when it is geared towards adults; also because of the grammatical errors, I gave it 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the middle of the book and towards the end though.
I would definitely read more from this author.
October 24, 2012
Everyone has that moment in life where they hit rock bottom, where the light not longer gets through the darkness of the life.
In this book, one girl actually follows through with those dark thoughts and jumps. In those six seconds before her life will be snuffed out we are taken back to see what finally pushes her off the edge and into that dark abyss that people struggle to get through.
This book was a very dark read, and it was so realistic that it makes you want to look at the person next to them and wonder what was going on in their lives and if they are struggling just like you have been.
This was kind of ironic given two people in my life have succumbed to the dark thoughts and lost their hope and last month was Suicide Awareness month, which I took part in putting up links and such to help other's be aware and help with the grief.
I enjoyed this book because of how real it was.
In this book, one girl actually follows through with those dark thoughts and jumps. In those six seconds before her life will be snuffed out we are taken back to see what finally pushes her off the edge and into that dark abyss that people struggle to get through.
This book was a very dark read, and it was so realistic that it makes you want to look at the person next to them and wonder what was going on in their lives and if they are struggling just like you have been.
This was kind of ironic given two people in my life have succumbed to the dark thoughts and lost their hope and last month was Suicide Awareness month, which I took part in putting up links and such to help other's be aware and help with the grief.
I enjoyed this book because of how real it was.
November 12, 2012
EXCERPT. GIVEAWAY. GUEST POST. http://disincentive-reviews.blogspot....
MY EMOTIONS. OH MY GOD WHAT WAS I GIVEN EMOTIONS, WHY?
When I finished this book it was 1am and I was crying over a fictional character. I honestly can't describe my feels. At the beggining, I didn't like this book. To be honest, it was boring as hell. But I thought I just have to review it, so I kept reading.
Six seconds of life left and so many memories to remember: I felt I became one with Maura, she felt so real. I know how depression feels and how Maura felt is real.
This book was too good. It was a freaking rollercoaster of emotions and it left me sleepless for the rest of the night.
Needless to say: 5/5 stars.
MY EMOTIONS. OH MY GOD WHAT WAS I GIVEN EMOTIONS, WHY?
When I finished this book it was 1am and I was crying over a fictional character. I honestly can't describe my feels. At the beggining, I didn't like this book. To be honest, it was boring as hell. But I thought I just have to review it, so I kept reading.
Six seconds of life left and so many memories to remember: I felt I became one with Maura, she felt so real. I know how depression feels and how Maura felt is real.
This book was too good. It was a freaking rollercoaster of emotions and it left me sleepless for the rest of the night.
Needless to say: 5/5 stars.
April 25, 2013
Tonya Harris most definitely is a fantastic writer. One who is able to walk in someone else's shoes. And in this case she takes the hard task of telling a story of a lonely, troubled girl who had an unstable childhood because of her parents. Harris really really understands the awkwardness and outcast feelings a teenager feels growing up. And trying to discover ones self during it. I don't think I've ever found it so easy to empathize with a voice so much. Harris made Maura's strong,and vibrant, and I still can't shake her from my mind after finishing the book.
It really is a book you would need the time to question after.
Definitely recommend this book without a doubt. However, it is not for the faint of heart. Be sure to be armed with tissues at your disposal before beginning!
4 and a 1/2 / 5
It really is a book you would need the time to question after.
Definitely recommend this book without a doubt. However, it is not for the faint of heart. Be sure to be armed with tissues at your disposal before beginning!
4 and a 1/2 / 5
November 2, 2012
The book started off sensationally well. Wow, what a start!
As the seconds count down, the replay of Maura’s life looms behind her eyes and we get to see and experience her life.
The book is full of psychological insight, roller-coaster emotions, teenage problems and family dramas.
I liked the first half better than the second one though. It seemed more appealing to me and I devoured it quickly. The second half just seems to have lost steam and I feel it just takes away so much from the book. :(
I must congratulate the author for a wonderful entry into the world of writing with her debut book.
As the seconds count down, the replay of Maura’s life looms behind her eyes and we get to see and experience her life.
The book is full of psychological insight, roller-coaster emotions, teenage problems and family dramas.
I liked the first half better than the second one though. It seemed more appealing to me and I devoured it quickly. The second half just seems to have lost steam and I feel it just takes away so much from the book. :(
I must congratulate the author for a wonderful entry into the world of writing with her debut book.
August 26, 2014
Maura only has 6 seconds left before she hits the water & her misery will be over. In that 6 seconds, her life flashes before her; everything that happened that made her jump off the edge.
I love the concept of this. Yes, it's depressing but it's something that I've never read before. Maura is not a very like-able character. She's selfish and annoying, even insane at times, but I get where she's coming from. Also, I think the ending was too abrupt and lacking.
I could've given it 5 stars but the editing needs improvement. There were a lot of typos that's sometimes annoying. But it's a strong 4 stars. I would definitely read another Tonya Fitzharris book.
I love the concept of this. Yes, it's depressing but it's something that I've never read before. Maura is not a very like-able character. She's selfish and annoying, even insane at times, but I get where she's coming from. Also, I think the ending was too abrupt and lacking.
I could've given it 5 stars but the editing needs improvement. There were a lot of typos that's sometimes annoying. But it's a strong 4 stars. I would definitely read another Tonya Fitzharris book.
October 30, 2012
A basic premise, writing about in a truly emotionally fashion. The more I read, the more I felt as if I was gaining a sneak-peak into the real (and unfortunate) life of a teenager in turmoil. Starting in the midst of the action, flashbacks explain how Maura came to this tragic point.
The characters were believable and, at times, I almost felt as if I was reading a memoir rather than a work of fiction. The tale is no doubt one which is very real for many, and a story which we can often forget.
A good read for anyone who likes their fiction to be hard-hitting.
November 14, 2012
Wow what an amazing story!
Maura commits suicide by jumping off a bridge but as she jumps she has flashbacks of all hurt, pain, everything in her life that was basically completely miserable.
The book was very emotional and a lot of people will probably be able to relate to it and it was very well written.
It was also saddening that she couldn't come out of that black hole she was in.
I will not say anything further as I do not want to spoil it for those wanting to read it.
I would definitely recommend it.
Maura commits suicide by jumping off a bridge but as she jumps she has flashbacks of all hurt, pain, everything in her life that was basically completely miserable.
The book was very emotional and a lot of people will probably be able to relate to it and it was very well written.
It was also saddening that she couldn't come out of that black hole she was in.
I will not say anything further as I do not want to spoil it for those wanting to read it.
I would definitely recommend it.
November 8, 2012
"6 Seconds of Life" was a challenging book to read since you can relate to it within your own life, or a life of someone you know, but one that I was totally impressed with. Although a work of fiction, this book is one that is and could be important for some. Tonya pens her characters realistic and full of emotions in a well thought out plot. It Highly recommended for everyone!
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
January 4, 2013
OMG what a book.......i think this is one book that will stick with me for a long time!! I would have rated it 5 stars if there would have been more of an ending!! I had such mixed opinions about this woman....
As for Owen hasnt he ever seen the movie When A Man Loves a Woman....i am so disappointed in him because I really really liked him in the beginning!!!
As for Owen hasnt he ever seen the movie When A Man Loves a Woman....i am so disappointed in him because I really really liked him in the beginning!!!
November 25, 2014
This book just left me feeling dissapointed. Yes, Maura's story was sad, but there are hundreds of sad stories out there and this one didn't jump out at me as special. And then came the ending. It had no support from the rest of the story at all and simply felt flat, unfinished and wrong. Not worth the $4 I spent on it.
June 16, 2015
Dark
I've never had someone paint the perfect picture of depression before. I've never actually tried to die, but I know people who have, and this book described perfectly the darkness that surrounds them. For anyone considering suicide, try to remember that it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Find someone to talk to, and let them in !
I've never had someone paint the perfect picture of depression before. I've never actually tried to die, but I know people who have, and this book described perfectly the darkness that surrounds them. For anyone considering suicide, try to remember that it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Find someone to talk to, and let them in !
January 31, 2013
i loved the idea behind this but have come to realise i am not one of those people who enjoy books about suicide. in many ways it reminded me of 13 reasons why which i somehow made it through but struggled with as well i need a story with hope. i am unable to connect with these suicidal charcters.
January 20, 2014
This book dealt with real life problems, that most can handle but with someone who has very high anxiety it is much more difficult. I enjoyed this book a lot I have very high anxiety as well and I haven't found a book yet where the they depicted that in a character.
February 4, 2015
I just feel so sad for Maura. How sad to live your life like that :-( A great book!
December 2, 2012
Kind of a downer... Obviously.
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