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Single Broke Female: Poetry Collection
Zarina Macha struggles to make ends meet as a writer and musician living in 21st century London. Hopping between part-time lovers and jobs, she lives off the charity of student loans and her mother.
One day, she decides to take a chance and self-publish her work, supposedly to charm her way onto people’s bookshelves. Macha wants success, the good life and she’s willing to struggle for it (although not kill or take over someone else’s identity; that could get a little messy).
Above all, she wants to share her second poetry collection with those who may enjoy the wits and words she is able to twinkle. (Not to toot her own horn). Stepping into this strange world of independent authors, she embarks on a journey from which there is no going back…
One day, she decides to take a chance and self-publish her work, supposedly to charm her way onto people’s bookshelves. Macha wants success, the good life and she’s willing to struggle for it (although not kill or take over someone else’s identity; that could get a little messy).
Above all, she wants to share her second poetry collection with those who may enjoy the wits and words she is able to twinkle. (Not to toot her own horn). Stepping into this strange world of independent authors, she embarks on a journey from which there is no going back…
82 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2019
21 people want to read
About the author
Zarina Macha
7 books45 followersZarina Macha is an author, blogger, poet, musician, and YouTuber from London, UK. She has currently self-published twenty-one books: six under her name and fifteen as Diana Vale. In 2021, her young adult novel Anne won the international Page Turner Book Award for fiction. In 2023 she released Tic Tac Toe, a young adult dystopian novel that satirises wokeism, identity politics, and political correctness.
She began publishing her work in 2018 while completing a degree in Songwriting and Creative Artistry from The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford. Her three published YA fiction works are Every Last Psycho (2018), a compilation of two novellas that deal with heavy trauma and mental illness; Anne (2019), a coming-of-age novel about domestic violence, and Around Midnight (2020), a novel about an emotionally abusive teenage relationship.
She has also published two poetry volumes; Art is a Waste of Time (2018) and Single Broke Female (2019). Both explore the essence of womanhood, including sexuality, femininity, and emotional angst. She has performed her poetry at various functions in London, including Poetry Unplugged, the Farrago Slam, and the Global Fusion Music & Arts Spoken Word events.
In 2021 Macha began writing contemporary new adult romance under the pen name Diana Vale. Her Kirk University books are standalone stories about students who find love at university. This fictitious university is based on the real-life University of York in northern England where Macha briefly attended prior to ACM.
She began publishing her work in 2018 while completing a degree in Songwriting and Creative Artistry from The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford. Her three published YA fiction works are Every Last Psycho (2018), a compilation of two novellas that deal with heavy trauma and mental illness; Anne (2019), a coming-of-age novel about domestic violence, and Around Midnight (2020), a novel about an emotionally abusive teenage relationship.
She has also published two poetry volumes; Art is a Waste of Time (2018) and Single Broke Female (2019). Both explore the essence of womanhood, including sexuality, femininity, and emotional angst. She has performed her poetry at various functions in London, including Poetry Unplugged, the Farrago Slam, and the Global Fusion Music & Arts Spoken Word events.
In 2021 Macha began writing contemporary new adult romance under the pen name Diana Vale. Her Kirk University books are standalone stories about students who find love at university. This fictitious university is based on the real-life University of York in northern England where Macha briefly attended prior to ACM.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 14, 2020
Single Broke Female: Poetry Collection
Zarina Macha
“I received this book as an ARC and I’m giving an honest review.”
Penned down from a Female’s point of view, Single Broke Female is a very strong willed poetry collection by the author Zarina Macha. So, I’m in a phase where I really enjoy reading Poetry and that was precisely the reason why I picked up this book.
First things first, it was the vibrant and catchy cover of the book which grasped my attention in the first place. The colour contrasts did justice to the themes addressed in the course of the book. The title of the book suggested that it would be a book which put emphasis on Feminism as a concept. But, I couldn’t be more wrong! The book fostered poems with Women as the central theme but delved deeper into any and every other topic possible. Whether it is Love, lust, Domestic Violence, Cheating, Materialisation of Women and practically any other thing you can think of, the book has it.
The book had me hooked since the moment I read the first poem – A Writer. Poem after poem the author managed to suck me deeper into the depths she created via the medium of her poems. The brutal truth of her poems had me spellbound. The author had the audacity to present all the aspects of womanhood in the brutal light with nothing lurking in the shadows.
The deep insight of the author and her way with words is commendable. The emotions, particularly the indignation of the author with the way women are treated could be felt in every poem and this is something worth appreciating!
Over and all, I loved the concept of the novel and I loved the flawless and beautifully descriptive writing style of the author. Some of my favourite lines from the book are:
“When the world has crumbled and charred to crisp,
Underneath all that’s come and dipped,
The writer shall stand, pen in hand,
for two swords create death while two pens breathe life.”
These lines were insanely powering and I swear, I had to pause for a few seconds just to let these lines sink. The author has done an amazing job of portraying women and their plight in this amazing collection of 47 cleverly worded poems.
With that being said, my dear friends, I strongly suggest you to purchase a copy of Single Broke Female. This book is a must read for every single person out there!
Adios Amigos!
Zarina Macha
“I received this book as an ARC and I’m giving an honest review.”
Penned down from a Female’s point of view, Single Broke Female is a very strong willed poetry collection by the author Zarina Macha. So, I’m in a phase where I really enjoy reading Poetry and that was precisely the reason why I picked up this book.
First things first, it was the vibrant and catchy cover of the book which grasped my attention in the first place. The colour contrasts did justice to the themes addressed in the course of the book. The title of the book suggested that it would be a book which put emphasis on Feminism as a concept. But, I couldn’t be more wrong! The book fostered poems with Women as the central theme but delved deeper into any and every other topic possible. Whether it is Love, lust, Domestic Violence, Cheating, Materialisation of Women and practically any other thing you can think of, the book has it.
The book had me hooked since the moment I read the first poem – A Writer. Poem after poem the author managed to suck me deeper into the depths she created via the medium of her poems. The brutal truth of her poems had me spellbound. The author had the audacity to present all the aspects of womanhood in the brutal light with nothing lurking in the shadows.
The deep insight of the author and her way with words is commendable. The emotions, particularly the indignation of the author with the way women are treated could be felt in every poem and this is something worth appreciating!
Over and all, I loved the concept of the novel and I loved the flawless and beautifully descriptive writing style of the author. Some of my favourite lines from the book are:
“When the world has crumbled and charred to crisp,
Underneath all that’s come and dipped,
The writer shall stand, pen in hand,
for two swords create death while two pens breathe life.”
These lines were insanely powering and I swear, I had to pause for a few seconds just to let these lines sink. The author has done an amazing job of portraying women and their plight in this amazing collection of 47 cleverly worded poems.
With that being said, my dear friends, I strongly suggest you to purchase a copy of Single Broke Female. This book is a must read for every single person out there!
Adios Amigos!
June 8, 2020
As a reader, I enjoyed the authentic poems dealing with the challenges she faces navigating through sometimes treacherous territory. I didn't get all the pop references as I am probably the only person in the western hemisphere who has not yet watched Game of Thrones but that is why we have search engines. Once I understood the references the poems' meaning became clear. Certainly I am not ready to invest the time in seeing what all the fuss is about on GoT. At times she reminded me of some of the young women who have crossed my path who have to deal with the challenges of the often unkind world. This collection is interesting and full of turns of phrase which are pleasing. Some of these may have started out as songs and thus constrained by the need to rhyme. At times I felt like she needs more hugs. The author has videos on youtube and watching some of them gave a voice to the poetry which would have been constructed from my imagination if the videos were not available. I enjoyed the experience of reading these poems and look forward to other poetry or prose from this same author. Well done, Zarina!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 25, 2020
Poetry is a hit or miss with me, and this was a definite hit. While I couldn't relate to all the poems, I found the vast majority well written, imaginative, and intriguing. The was a wide variety of type of poem, and several topics were covered, though the majority were about love relations.
I definitely enjoyed the poems. My suggestion is to read through them slowly, as they are meant to be savored. Read them several times, and at least one time out loud to get the full flavor.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I definitely enjoyed the poems. My suggestion is to read through them slowly, as they are meant to be savored. Read them several times, and at least one time out loud to get the full flavor.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2020
The author is showcasing her youth and experiences in this delightful book of poetry. Some of these poems would be beautiful songs if set to music. The poems touch deeply on the emotions of youth and the shifting tiles of emotions play out sometimes in a single poem. Excellent look into youth and its experiences.
July 8, 2020
Single Broke Female: Poetry Collection
Zarina Macha
The book is a smash! The poems are very well written, with lots of topics covered.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zarina Macha
The book is a smash! The poems are very well written, with lots of topics covered.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 30, 2021
Great short poetry.
December 3, 2019
Poetry was my first love so, I suppose it’s little surprise that I slightly lose myself to anything with verses. That said, this is a truly remarkable collection of powerful, thoughtful and emotive poems by a very talented writer.
Sometimes, poetry feels like it’s just waiting for a melody to complete it. I didn’t feel that way with this work. It’s not that it doesn’t need the music, it’s more like the music is already there. Personal favourites for me were ‘Race, Gender, Class’, ‘Why her?’ and ‘I Want, I Want’.
Packed with insight and understanding, this is one young woman’s journey through life, love and the world, and it’s brilliant.
An excellent collection from a great, modern poet.
Recommended. I look forward to reading more.
Sometimes, poetry feels like it’s just waiting for a melody to complete it. I didn’t feel that way with this work. It’s not that it doesn’t need the music, it’s more like the music is already there. Personal favourites for me were ‘Race, Gender, Class’, ‘Why her?’ and ‘I Want, I Want’.
Packed with insight and understanding, this is one young woman’s journey through life, love and the world, and it’s brilliant.
An excellent collection from a great, modern poet.
Recommended. I look forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews