Three years after her mother’s death, 16-year-old Zara is still settling into life in Carolina Beach, N.C., where she knows almost no one. Working as the lone projectionist at the Palace Theatre—a rundown movie house that shows only vintage ’50s sci-fi and horror flicks—Zara spends her nights in a dusty booth, fueled by coffee, pushups, and the occasional existential crisis (with popcorn).

Then she meets Zachary, whose “Z” name feels like fate. His clothes don’t match, his stories don’t always add up, and he might be the most interesting person she’s ever met. As their friendship deepens into something more, Zara learns about the struggles Zachary hides beneath his charm—and wonders if trust is possible.
When her boss tasks her with organizing a Valentine’s Day Godzilla marathon—complete with 150 inflatable Godzillas on the roof—Zara must confront the chaos in her own life. Like any good Godzilla movie, the big question remains: who will survive, and who will be crushed?

Praise for The Reel Life of Zara Kegg

“In The Reel Life of Zara Kegg, Brad Barkley has created a cast of wonderfully weird characters who are trying, like all of us, to find their way in this confusing world of ours. If John Green wrote a novelization of the film Cinema Paradiso, it might very well be this one. Lucky for us, Brad Barkley has done just that.”

—Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle and She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)

“Brilliant, funny, moving, unputdownable….I wish I had a zillion adjectives to describe this knockout of a book. I fell in love with 'Zara with a Z' the moment I met her and I fell in love with Zachary—as did Zara—the moment he entered the story as well. But this is not simply a meet-cute teen rom-com. Zara’s mother has died, her father is a mess, Zachary has his own family issues, and there’s so much more to this big-hearted story. All I can say is: Read it! I gulped down this book in one sitting because I simply could not stop turning the pages. What an incredible voice Zara possesses! In addition to having a razor-sharp wit, she is strong, confident, vulnerable, and above all else, wise beyond her years. I could spend a lifetime listening to her, and I will remember her story for years to come.”

—Lesléa Newman, author of October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard

“A wonderful love story! Barkley weaves sensitivity and humor like no other YA writer. If you’re into deserted beach towns, boarded-up carnival rides, teens with big, coming-of-age feelings, and retro movie theaters—this timeless book is for you.”

—A.J. Small, author of If I Promise You Wings

“Captivating, funny, and heartbreakingly real, you won’t want to put this book down.”

—Margaret McMullan, award-winning author of Sources of Light

“Like John Green at his very best, Barkley creates teenage characters who are every bit as rich, complicated, and compelling as adults. This is a writer who has mastered the art of finding the sweet spot where comedy and tragedy meet.”

—Susan Perabo, author of The Fall of Lisa Bellow