"Free Jim's Mine" by Tananarive Due
In pursuit of freedom from slavery, a young couple must gather up their courage and spend a night underground. "Free Jim's Mine" appears in Tananarive Due's collection GHOST SUMMER: STORIES.
Apr 09, 2019•55 min
LeVar Burton Reads
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.
Episodes
"Miracle" by Tope Folarin
A congregation eagerly anticipates the healing powers of a blind prophet. "Miracle" © 2019 by Tope Folarin. From Harvard's Transition magazine, Issue 109, Fall 2012. This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter ( www.ziprecruiter.com/LEVAR ).
Apr 02, 2019•43 min
LIVE! in Boston: "Mono No Aware" by Ken Liu
A space traveler flashes back to memories of his childhood in Japan, before the world ended. Recorded live at the Wilbur Theatre with music provided by Katy Wherry and Jake Wherry. "Mono No Aware" appears in THE PAPER MENAGERIE AND OTHER STORIES. Ken Liu's new anthology, BROKEN STARS, is out this month. This episode is sponsored by Calm ( www.calm.com/LEVAR ).
Feb 12, 2019•1 hr 2 min
LIVE! in New Jersey: "Driftglass" by Samuel R. Delany
As a new frontier is explored on the ocean floor, an amphiman is haunted by a deep sea accident from his youth. Recorded live at the Scottish Rite Auditorium with musical accompaniment by Kendrah Butler. "Driftglass" is contained in AYE, AND GOMORRAH AND OTHER STORIES, Vintage Books, 2003.
Feb 05, 2019•1 hr 1 min
LIVE! in DC: "A Dark Night" by Edward P. Jones
A stormy evening leads to a dark night of the soul. Recorded live at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. with musical accompaniment by Élise Cuffy. "A Dark Night" appears in Edward P. Jones' collection LOST IN THE CITY.
Jan 29, 2019•51 min
LIVE! in Dallas: "In the City of Martyrs" by Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam
A fantasy tale about a royal family, a flower seller, and a shocking discovery. Recorded live at the Majestic Theatre with musical accompaniment by Zhenya Rock. This episode is sponsored by Calm ( www.calm.com/LEVAR ).
Jan 22, 2019•51 min
LIVE! in Atlanta: "The Vishakanya's Choice" by Roshani Chokshi
After spending years in isolation with her vishakanya sisters, a poison maiden is given her first deadly mission. © 2015 Roshani Chokshi, as first appeared on BookSmugglers.com. Recorded live at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, with musical accompaniment by Anand Vyas.
Jan 08, 2019•51 min
LIVE! in Austin: "Asymmetry" by Kendra Fortmeyer
While suffering through a breakup, a woman encounters a strange figure. Recorded live in Austin at the Paramount Theatre, with musical accompaniment by Peter Tran of Curved Light.
Dec 18, 2018•47 min
LIVE! in Brooklyn: "Playing Nice with God's Bowling Ball" by N.K. Jemisin
In this fantastical police procedural, detectives are perplexed when a young boy confesses to a murder. "Playing Nice with God's Bowling Ball" was originally published in the August 2008 issue of Jim Baen’s Universe . N. K. Jemisin's new collection is HOW LONG 'TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH? This episode is sponsored by Mythology podcast ( www.parcast.com/MYTHOLOGY ).
Dec 11, 2018•57 min
"Morning Child" by Gardner Dozois
Two people reconnect in a post-apocalyptic world. © 1984 by Gardner Dozois. Originally published in OMNI. Used by permission of the author’s Estate and the Estate’s agents, the Virginia Kidd Agency, Inc. This episode is sponsored by Bona Floor Cleaners ( www.bona.com ), Sierra Club ( www.BeyondCoal.org/stories ), The Great Courses ( www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/LEVAR ), and Calm ( www.calm.com/LEVAR )....
Oct 09, 2018•32 min
"Yiwu" by Lavie Tidhar
For a humble shopkeeper in Yiwu, it’s a living, selling lottery tickets. Until a winning ticket opens up mysteries he’d never imagined. This episode is sponsored by Bona Floor Cleaners ( www.bona.com ), The Great Courses ( www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/LEVAR ), and Sierra Club ( www.beyondcoal.org/stories )....
Oct 02, 2018•53 min
"Singing on a Star" by Ellen Klages
A kindergartner travels through a portal to a fantastic and eerie new world. This story appears in Ellen's collection WICKED WONDERS. This episode is sponsored by Sierra Club ( www.beyondcoal.org/stories ), Bona Floor Cleaners ( www.bona.com ), Calm ( www.calm.com/LEVAR ), and The Great Courses ( www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/LeVar )....
Sep 25, 2018•49 min
"The Cell Phones" by Karen E. Bender
A Rosh Hashanah service is interrupted by voices clamoring for attention. This story appears in the forthcoming collection THE NEW ORDER. This episode is sponsored by Bona Floor Cleaners ( www.bona.com ), The Great Courses ( www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/LeVar ), and the Sierra Club ( www.beyondcoal.org/stories )....
Sep 18, 2018•31 min
"Jackalope Wives" by Ursula Vernon
A brooding young man is captivated by a magical creature who dances in the firelight. This story appears in JACKALOPE WIVES AND OTHER STORIES by T. Kingfisher. This episode is sponsored by Sierra Club ( www.beyondcoal.org/stories ), Bona Floor Cleaners ( www.bona.com ), Calm ( www.calm.com/LEVAR ), and The Great American Read....
Sep 11, 2018•50 min
"Fyrewall" by Stefani Cox
In a future version of Los Angeles, a woman and her ragtag crew must repair a critical piece of technology or let the city burn to the ground. This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses ( www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/levar ) and The Great American Read.
Sep 04, 2018•43 min
"Fantaisie Impromptu No. 4 in C#min, Op. 66” by Carlos Hernandez
A reporter travels to Miami to investigate the fringes of science and faith. This story appears in THE ASSIMILATED CUBAN'S GUIDE TO QUANTUM SANTERIA. This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses ( www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/LEVAR ) and Google Play ( g.co/play/levar ).
Aug 28, 2018•49 min
"Multo" by Samuel Marzioli
A man remembers a supernatural force from his childhood. Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/levar and use promo code 'LEVAR'. This episode is sponsored by Google Play ( www.g.co/play/levar ).
Aug 21, 2018•39 min
"Fires" by Rick Bass
In this meditative tale, a runner spends a summer training in a remote mountain town. This story appears in the collection FOR A LITTLE WHILE by Rick Bass, published by Little, Brown & Company. Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/levar and use promo code 'LEVAR'. This episode is sponsored by Google Play ( g.co/play/levar )....
Aug 14, 2018•42 min
"The Last Cheng Beng Gift" by Jaymee Goh
A family matriarch takes up residence in the Underworld. Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/levar and use promo code 'LEVAR'. This episode is sponsored by Google Play ( g.co/play/levar ) and Hungryroot ( www.hungryroot.com code: LEVAR)....
Aug 07, 2018•35 min
"Sea Girls" by Daniel Wallace
Two teenagers deal with family issues... and a stranded sea creature. Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/levar and use promo code 'LEVAR'. This episode is sponsored by Hungry Root ( www.hungryroot.com code: LEVAR) and Google Play ( g.co/play/levar )....
Jul 31, 2018•45 min
"Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience TM" by Rebecca Roanhorse
A tour guide leads virtual reality “experiences” for tourists who want to know what it’s like to be Native American. Think Black Mirror meets Westworld. Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/levar and use promo code 'LEVAR'. This episode is sponsored by Google Play ( g.co/play/levar )....
Jul 24, 2018•55 min
LIVE! in Seattle: "Black Betty" by Nisi Shawl
The story of Betty, and her struggle to be fully understood by her new family. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. With accompaniment by Gretchen Yanover, and featuring a conversation with author Nisi Shawl. This episode is brought to you by KiwiCo ( www.kiwico.com/LEVAR ) and Hungryroot ( www.hungryroot.com code: LEVAR ).
Jun 05, 2018•1 hr 2 min
LIVE! in Los Angeles: "Money Tree" by Nalo Hopkinson
A young man sets out to uncover sunken treasure and make his fortune, and his sister must pick up the pieces. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. With accompaniment by vibraphonist Justin Thomas, and featuring a conversation with the author. This story appears in Nalo Hopkinson's collection SKIN FOLK.
May 22, 2018•46 min
LIVE! in San Francisco: "As Good as New" by Charlie Jane Anders
A young woman unexpectedly finds herself with the fate of the world in her hands. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. With accompaniment by Astronauts, etc. keyboardist Anthony Ferraro, and featuring a conversation with Charlie Jane Anders. This story appears in Anders' collection SIX MONTHS, THREE DAYS, FIVE OTHERS.
May 08, 2018•1 hr 4 min
LIVE! in Chicago: "The Winds of Harmattan" by Nnedi Okorafor
A young woman discovers her destiny as a Windseeker. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. With accompaniment by the legendary instrumentalist and kalimba player Kahil El'Zabar, and featuring a conversation with Nnedi Okorafor. This story appears in Okorafor's collection KABU KABU.
Apr 24, 2018•1 hr 1 min
"The 5:22" by George Harrar
When a fellow passenger on his usual train goes missing, a man begins to wonder if everything is as it seems. Find more from the author at www.georgeharrarbooks.com . This episode is brought to you by Audible ( audible.com/levar ) and Tripping.com ( www.tripping.com/LEVAR ).
Mar 20, 2018•37 min
"My Dear You" by Rachel Khong
As she filters through memories and relationships, a young woman navigates a new plane of existence. Find more from the author at www.rachelkhong.com . Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar .
Mar 13, 2018•42 min
"Different Kinds of Darkness" by David Langford
A group of children form a secret society around a mysterious and powerful artifact. This story appears in David Langford's collection DIFFERENT KINDS OF DARKNESS. This episode is brought to you by Audible ( audible.com/levar ) and Tripping.com ( www.tripping.com/LEVAR ).
Feb 27, 2018•43 min
"Furry Night" by Joan Aiken
An elderly lycanthropist retires to his estate in the English countryside, but his rest is disturbed by a rowdy village tradition. "Furry Night" is copyright © 1976 by Joan Aiken. Available in THE PEOPLE IN THE CASTLE by Joan Aiken, published by Small Beer Press. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar .
Feb 20, 2018•47 min
"Mrs. Perez" by Oscar Casares
When a burglary deprives her of her most prized possession, a woman discovers just how resilient and assertive she can be. "Mrs. Perez" appears in Oscar Casares' collection BROWNSVILLE: STORIES from Back Bay Books. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar .
Feb 06, 2018•45 min