LeVar Burton Reads - podcast cover

LeVar Burton Reads

LeVar Burton and Stitcher•www.stitcher.com
Arts
Performing Arts
The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting and presented in 3D immersive audio. In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Nnedi Okorafor, Kurt Vonnegut, Ken Liu and more to life. So, if you’re ready, let’s take a deep breath... Our immersive audio is best with headphones! If you'd prefer to listen without immersive audio, visit levarburtonpodcast.com/mono.
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Episodes

"The November Story" by Rebecca Makkai

A reality TV show producer tries to make love happen, on- and off-screen. “The November Story” is from MUSIC FOR WARTIME by Rebecca Makkai, published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Find LeVar on Instagram Live on Monday, May 6th from 6:30-8pm Pacific, celebrating 13 seasons of LeVar Burton Reads! Join us for a Q&A and surprise guests. Follow @levar.burton on IG and sign up for reminders!

Apr 30, 2024•50 min

"She Builds Quick Machines" by Lyndsie Manusos

Robotics, quick machines, fugitives -- none are exactly what they seem on the surface. Find more from the author at https://lyndsiekay.wordpress.com . And find LeVar on Instagram Live on Monday, May 6th from 6:30-8pm Pacific, celebrating 13 seasons of LeVar Burton Reads! Join us for a Q&A and surprise guests. Follow @levar.burton on IG and mark your calendar! Content advisory: warfare, death

Apr 23, 2024•39 min

"When the Apples are Ripe" by Diane Oliver

A young boy puzzles over the behavior of his mysterious elderly neighbor, his parents, and his older brother, a budding civil rights activist. This story appears in the collection entitled NEIGHBORS AND OTHER STORIES by Diane Oliver, published by Grove Press. Content advisory: racial slur, racism

Apr 16, 2024•45 min

"The Coffin Maker" by AnaMaria Curtis

On a long mission to search for a new home planet, an outfitter tries to protect the crewmembers' lives. But can she protect herself from the inevitable loss and heartbreak? This story first appeared in Uncanny Magazine. For more from the author, check out anamariacurtis.com . Content advisory: pandemic, death

Apr 09, 2024•50 min

"The Appropriation of Cultures" by Percival Everett

A young Black musician is heckled by a group of white fraternity brothers, asking him to play "Dixie." His response surprises everyone, including himself. This story appears in the collection DAMNED IF I DO, published by Graywolf Press.

Apr 02, 2024•34 min

"The Hidden Forests of Earth and Mars" by Anna Zumbro

A young woman must decide her future: planting seeds and forging civilization on Mars, or caretaking for future generations on Earth. This story originally appeared in Cast of Wonders. Find more from the author at annazumbro.com . Content advisory: climate change and ecological collapse

Mar 26, 2024•44 min

"Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush" by Luis Alberto Urrea

The self-proclaimed Graffiti King of Mexico brandishes his magical paintbrush, providing commentary on small-town sins. This story appears in the collection THE WATER MUSEUM. Find more from the author at luisurrea.com . Content advisory: sexism, sexual harassment

Mar 19, 2024•39 min

"The World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key

An exploration of the depth of a father's love, and his attempts to keep his son happy, healthy and safe in a world rife with racism and violence. This story appears in Justin C. Key's collection THE WORLD WASN'T READY FOR YOU. Content advisory: death, police brutality

Mar 12, 2024•58 min

"Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski

A human street performer breaks out his boombox for an unauthorized and unwelcome performance on Planet Drx. For more from the author, visit https://culagovski.net . Content advisory: references to ecocide

Mar 05, 2024•33 min

"The Destroyer" by Tara Isabella Burton

A scientist explores (and transcends) the limitations of the human body, using her daughter as a test subject. This story was first published by Tor.com. Find more from the author at www.taraisabellaburton.com . Content advisory: Death

Feb 20, 2024•53 min

Watch Out, Lucky Season 13 is Coming!

LeVar Burton Reads is back with all-new episodes starting February 20th, but if you don't want to wait, you can get a taste right here! Look out for stories from Rebecca Makkai, Luis Alberto Urrea, Justin C. Key and more. We think 13 might be our lucky number...

Feb 13, 2024•3 min

Atlas Obscura presents: Mafra Palace Library Bats

We champion the work of librarians at LeVar Burton Reads, not least because they preserve books and maintain archives of important information for generations to come. Today, we’re sharing a story from our friends over at Atlas Obscura. They'll introduce you to an altogether different species of librarians: The Mafra Palace Library Bats, who make sure the palace's rare book collection is well kept! Atlas Obscura is an audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founde...

Feb 06, 2024•15 min

A 99% Invisible / LeVar Burton Crossover!

If you’ve been listening to LeVar's new podcast Sound Detectives, you know there's something irresistible about a missing sound. That’s why we teamed up with our friends at 99% Invisible to tell the story of the first music streaming service, a 200-ton instrument called the Telharmonium whose sound has been lost to history. 99% Invisible is a podcast about the unnoticed design that shapes the world we live in. This is their latest episode, a collection of mini-stories that weren’t quite big enou...

Dec 19, 2023•49 min

"Waystation City" by A.T. Greenblatt

Adrift in a mysterious time and place, and with the ground roiling and churning beneath their feet, a brother and sister try to return home to 1970s London. Find more from the author at atgreenblatt.com .

Dec 12, 2023•46 min

"Three Roses" by Karmen Špiljak

A mysterious pub draws in lost souls on Christmas Eve. This story appears in the author's collection ADD CYANIDE TO TASTE: A COLLECTION OF DARK TALES WITH CULINARY TWISTS.

Dec 05, 2023•44 min

Immersive Remix: "The Takeback Tango" by Rebecca Roanhorse

A teenage thief embarks on a mission to reclaim her people's sacred treasures. First published in A UNIVERSE OF WISHES in 2020 in the United States by Crown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC, New York. Find more from Rebecca at www.rebeccaroanhorse.com .

Nov 21, 2023•42 min

Sound Detectives! Episode 2

Enjoy more LeVar, more Detective Hunch, and more Audie with Episode #2 of LeVar's new podcast, SOUND DETECTIVES! SOUND DETECTIVES is a funny, engaging, and thought-provoking podcast that invites elementary school-aged kids to explore the magic and mystery of sound. In this episode, the Sound Swindler is still at large, and LeVar is anxious for help! Audie is a-buzz about the mystery sound, but Hunch insists that she needs some detective training first. Hunch knows just the thing: Detective Solva...

Nov 20, 2023•33 min

Introducing: Sound Detectives!

LeVar Burton presents SOUND DETECTIVES – a funny, engaging, and thought-provoking podcast that invites elementary school-aged kids to explore the magic and mystery of sound. Breaking News – Across the globe, sounds are mysteriously going missing! Waves aren’t crashing, crickets aren’t chirping, and the familiar jingle of the ice cream truck is a distant memory. Follow Detective Hunch (Vinny Thomas) and his new sidekick Audie the Ear (Jess McKenna) as they solve sound mysteries and track down the...

Nov 13, 2023•39 min

"The Many Taste Grooves of the Chang Family" by Allison King

Siblings try to jog their ailing father's memory through his sense of taste. They discover that as much as he's lost -- he's retained his sense of humor. Find more from the author at www.allisonjking.com . Content advisory: person living with dementia

Nov 07, 2023•36 min

"Sin Eater" by Ian R. MacLeod

A robot "sin eater" is called to perform a vital service for the last human on earth. This story appears in the author's collection, entitled RAGGED MAPS. Content advisory: violence, death

Oct 31, 2023•54 min

"Those Fantastic Lives" by Bradley Sides

A chain-smoking psychic is ready to retire, but first, she's got to see one last client. Find more from the author at www.bradley-sides.com . Content advisory: reference to child death

Oct 24, 2023•39 min

"The Clockmaker and His Daughter" by Tobi Ogundiran

A story about the bond between father and daughter, cities both big and small, clocks, trees, and hope in a society designed to squash all hope. Find more from the author at www.tobiogundiran.com . Content advisory: violence, death

Oct 17, 2023•45 min

"The Court Magician" by Sarah Pinsker

A young magician is given the opportunity to learn real magic, but it comes with consequences. This story appears in Sarah Pinsker's collection LOST PLACES, published by Small Beer Press. Content advisory: brief sexual reference

Oct 10, 2023•38 min

"Dragonflies" by Shannon Sanders

Knick-knacks are tagged, life choices are interrogated, and secrets are revealed after the family matriarch passes away. This story appears in Shannon Sanders' collection COMPANY, published by Graywolf Press. Content advisory: mentions death

Oct 03, 2023•46 min

"Mr. McCaslin" by Peter S. Beagle

Neighborhood kids help a curmudgeonly old man with a family curse. This story appears in The Essential Peter S. Beagle: Volume 2. For more of Peter S. Beagle's work, visit https://beagleverse.com . Content advisory: mentions death

Sep 26, 2023•42 min

"The Tin Man" by Lilliam Rivera

The sole survivor of a pandemic must determine the true intentions of a robot who arrives to save her. This story appears in RECLAIM THE STARS: 17 TALES ACROSS REALMS AND SPACE. For more of Lilliam Rivera's work, visit www.lilliamrivera.com . Content advisory: mentions illness and death

Sep 19, 2023•45 min