…

LeVar Burton Reads

…

LeVar Burton and Stitcher

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.

#196

"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] (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 ... Read more

23 Apr 2024

38 MINS

38:33

23 Apr 2024

#195

"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 ... Read more

16 Apr 2024

44 MINS

44:59

16 Apr 2024

#194

"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] (http://anamariacurtis.com) . Content advisory: pandemic, death ... Read more

09 Apr 2024

49 MINS

49:46

09 Apr 2024

#193

"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. ... Read more

02 Apr 2024

33 MINS

33:44

02 Apr 2024

#192

"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] (http://annazumbro.com) .Content advisory: climate change and ecological collapse ... Read more

26 Mar 2024

43 MINS

43:30

26 Mar 2024

#191

"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] (http://luisurrea.com/) . Content advisory: sexism, sexual harassment ... Read more

19 Mar 2024

39 MINS

39:13

19 Mar 2024

#190

"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 ... Read more

12 Mar 2024

57 MINS

57:50

12 Mar 2024

#189

"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] (https://culagovski.net) . Content advisory: references to ecocide ... Read more

05 Mar 2024

33 MINS

33:29

05 Mar 2024

#188

"Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead" by KT Bryski

A trickster storyteller brings camaraderie and hope to the land of the dead. Find more from the author at [ktbryski.com] (https://www.ktbryski.com) . Content advisory: Death and dying; references to the death of a child ... Read more

27 Feb 2024

45 MINS

45:56

27 Feb 2024

#187

"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] (http://www.taraisabellaburton.com) . Content advisory: Death ... Read more

20 Feb 2024

53 MINS

53:06

20 Feb 2024

#186

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... ... Read more

13 Feb 2024

03 MINS

03:15

13 Feb 2024

#185

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-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a wonder every day, Monday through Friday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Listen to Atlas Obscura wherever you get your podcasts. ... Read more

06 Feb 2024

15 MINS

15:18

06 Feb 2024

#184

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 enough for a whole episode. You’ll hear about time measured in decimals, a rogue unlicensed Italian architect, and the ghost kitchens that power food delivery apps. And then yours truly, telling the story of the Telharmonium.Listen to 99% Invisible wherever you get your podcasts and visit [99pi.org] (https://www.99pi.org) for more. ... Read more

19 Dec 2023

49 MINS

49:23

19 Dec 2023

#183

"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] (https://www.atgreenblatt.com) . ... Read more

12 Dec 2023

45 MINS

45:32

12 Dec 2023

#182

"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. ... Read more

05 Dec 2023

44 MINS

44:13

05 Dec 2023

#181

"The Pilgrim and the Angel" by E. Lily Yu

An angel surprises a humble coffee shop owner in Cairo. This story appears in E. Lily Yu's collection JEWEL BOX, published by Erewhon Books. ... Read more

28 Nov 2023

41 MINS

41:34