Read An Excerpt From 'The Reel Life of Zara Kegg' by Brad Barkley

4.5-STAR REVIEW: THE REEL LIFE OF ZARA KEGG by Brad Barkley

Publication Date: June 16, 2026 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 Zachar…

Read An Excerpt From 'The Reel Life of Zara Kegg' by Brad Barkley

Brad Barkley is back with a YA novel that’s perfect for readers who love heartfelt, offbeat coming-of-age stories in the spirit of classic 2000s indie films, like Juno and Adventureland. Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from The Reel Life of Zara Kegg by Brad Barkley, which releases on June 16th 2026. Three years after her mother’s death, 16-year-old Zara is still settling into life in Carolina Beach, N.C., where she kn…