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.

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191 episodes
Updated May 7, 2024
Explicit

Episodes191

Newest first

Nov 14, 2023 · 44 min
"Galaxy Girl and the November Monstrosity" by Aleksandra Hill
A superhero returns home for Thanksgiving. Find more from Aleksandra Hill at aleksandrahill.com and khoreomag.com.
Nov 13, 2023 · 38 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 th
Nov 7, 2023 · 35 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
Oct 31, 2023 · 53 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 24, 2023 · 38 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 17, 2023 · 45 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 10, 2023 · 38 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 3, 2023 · 45 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
Sep 26, 2023 · 42 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 19, 2023 · 45 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 12, 2023 · 1 min
Season 12, Here We Come!
LeVar Burton Reads is back September 19th! We've got stories from Peter S. Beagle, Sarah Pinsker, Tobi Ogundiran and more. It's good to be back, y'all.
Apr 4, 2023 · 39 min
Immersive Remix: "An Equal Share of the Bone" by Karen Osborne
Hoping to make their fortune (or at least climb out of debt), a trio of space traders travel on a dangerous hunt for a space whale. "An Equal Share of the Bone" was originally published at Escape Pod. Find more of Karen Osborne's work at www.karenosborne.com. Content Advisory: Animal death. Our immersive audio is best with headphones! If you'd prefer to listen without immersive audio, visit levarburtonpodcast.com/mono.
Feb 28, 2023 · 37 min
"D.P." by Kurt Vonnegut
In a small German village, an orphaned boy lives at a home for "displaced persons," and puzzles over where he belongs. "D.P.” from the book WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE by Kurt Vonnegut. Copyright © 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.
Feb 21, 2023 · 49 min
"The Destination Star" by Gregory Marlow
As a generation ship hurtles toward a distant star, one of its crew members receives a rare and precious opportunity. For more from Gregory Marlow, visit www.greganimates.com/writing.html. Content advisory: illness, death
Feb 14, 2023 · 53 min
"Mister Dawn, How Can You Be So Cruel?" by Violet Allen
An artist works as a dream concierge, creating augmented dream packages for clients. For more from Violet Allen, visit her on Twitter @blipstress. Content advisory: mind / body control
Feb 7, 2023 · 57 min
"The Golden Hour" by Jeffrey Ford
A time traveler is stranded in a small town. This story appears in SOMEONE IN TIME: TALES OF TIME-CROSSED ROMANCE, published by Solaris. Find more from Jeffrey Ford at well-builtcity.com. Content advisory: suicide
Jan 31, 2023 · 50 min
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran
A hapless salesman flees the librarian hell-bent on retrieving her lost library book. This story appears in Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, published by Tordotcom in hardcover and e-book, and by Recorded Books in audiobook format. For more from the author, visit tobiogundiran.com. Content advisory: Explicit language, gore
Jan 24, 2023 · 42 min
"Wok Hei St" by Guan Un
A story of a stolen wok, magic, and manipulation. This story was originally published in Strange Horizons. You can find more of the author's work at guanun.com.
Jan 17, 2023 · 46 min
Immersive Remix: "The Foster Portfolio" by Kurt Vonnegut
A financial advisor meets his new client: a hardworking, unassuming man with a curious and potentially life-changing secret.
Jan 10, 2023 · 48 min
Immersive Remix: "Silver Door Diner" by Bishop Garrison
A waitress is jolted from her morning routine when she's visited by a mysterious child.

LeVar Burton Reads

"Galaxy Girl and the November Monstrosity" by Aleksandra Hill

Introducing: Sound Detectives!

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

"Sin Eater" by Ian R. MacLeod

"Those Fantastic Lives" by Bradley Sides

"The Clockmaker and His Daughter" by Tobi Ogundiran

"The Court Magician" by Sarah Pinsker

"Dragonflies" by Shannon Sanders

"Mr. McCaslin" by Peter S. Beagle

"The Tin Man" by Lilliam Rivera

Season 12, Here We Come!

Immersive Remix: "An Equal Share of the Bone" by Karen Osborne

"D.P." by Kurt Vonnegut

"The Destination Star" by Gregory Marlow

"Mister Dawn, How Can You Be So Cruel?" by Violet Allen

"The Golden Hour" by Jeffrey Ford

"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran

"Wok Hei St" by Guan Un

Immersive Remix: "The Foster Portfolio" by Kurt Vonnegut

Immersive Remix: "Silver Door Diner" by Bishop Garrison