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

Jan 3, 2023 · 34 min
Immersive Remix: "The Simplest Equation" by Nicky Drayden
A struggling college student gains new perspective on her studies from her classmate, who's come to study from another planet. Find more of the author's work at www.nickydrayden.com.
Dec 27, 2022 · 46 min
Immersive Remix: "The Truth About Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar
A young girl explores her own power, and finds kinship with a bird of prey.
Dec 20, 2022 · 34 min
Immersive Remix: "The Last Cheng Beng Gift" by Jaymee Goh
A family matriarch takes up residence in the Underworld.
Dec 13, 2022 · 39 min
Immersive Remix: "The Usual Santas" by Mick Herron
A group of mall Santas celebrating Christmas Eve discover that there is a stranger in their midst. "The Usual Santas" appears in Mick Herron's collection DOLPHIN JUNCTION, published by Soho Press (US) and John Murray (UK), 2021.
Dec 6, 2022 · 37 min
"River's Giving" by Heather Shaw, Tim Pratt, and River Shaw
A mystical phenomenon brightens the dreary days of winter — until one year, when it suddenly stops.
Nov 29, 2022 · 48 min
"The King of Bread" by Luis Alberto Urrea
A boy discovers his father's hidden kingdom. This story appears in the anthology Small Odysseys: Selected Shorts Presents 35 New Stories, published by Algonquin Books. Find more from Luis Alberto Urrea at luisurrea.com.
Nov 22, 2022 · 45 min
"Family Cooking" by Ana Maria Curtis
A tale of complicated family relationships and magical cooking. This story was first published in Uncanny Magazine.
Nov 15, 2022 · 44 min
"Down in the Dim Kingdoms" by Tobias Buckell
An adventurer carried back spoils from a journey to the center of the earth. Now, his family joins him on a return trip, hoping to ensure their access to his fortune. This story appears in the anthology LOST WORLDS AND MYTHOLOGICAL KINGDOMS, available now in hardback, e-book and audio. Tobias Buckell's collection SHOGGOTHS IN TRAFFIC AND OTHER STORIES is available in paperback, e-book and audio. Content advisory: Violence, death
Nov 8, 2022 · 49 min
"#ClimbingNation" by Kim Fu
When an Instagram-famous rock climber comes to an untimely death, his friends and admirers gather to memorialize him. This story appears in Kim Fu's collection LESSER KNOWN MONSTERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY, published by Tin House. Content advisory: Description of death
Nov 1, 2022 · 43 min
"I Was a Teenage Space Jockey" by Stephen Graham Jones
While on a quest to beat the high score at his local arcade, a sixth grader has an unusual, life-altering experience. For more from Stephen Graham Jones, visit www.demontheory.net. Content advisory: Descriptions of violence, death
Oct 25, 2022 · 3 min
We're Back for Season 11!
LeVar Burton Reads is back November 1st with stories from Stephen Graham Jones, Kim Fu, Tobias Buckell and more, in our new immersive format!
Oct 25, 2022 · 39 min
Immersive Remix: "Multo" by Samuel Marzioli
A man remembers a supernatural force from his childhood.
Oct 18, 2022 · 49 min
Immersive Remix: "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.
Oct 11, 2022 · 39 min
Immersive Remix: "Your Rover is Here" by LP Kindred
A rideshare driver must spring into action when his passenger casts a dangerous and deadly spell. Content advisory: explicit language, violence, terrorism
Oct 4, 2022 · 34 min
An Update! Plus Immersive Remix: "The Story We Used to Tell" by Shirley Jackson
LeVar Burton Reads is coming back! Plus, an immersive remix of Shirley Jackson's story about a recently widowed woman who vanishes overnight. Content advisory: violence, death “The Story We Used to Tell” is from DARK TALES by Shirley Jackson, published by Penguin Classics, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
Apr 12, 2022 · 53 min
Immersive Remix: "The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu
A new immersive remix of a season one classic. An immigrant mother tries to bond with her American-born son by creating a magical paper menagerie. This story appears in Ken Liu's collection THE PAPER MENAGERIE AND OTHER STORIES, available now from Saga Press. Content advisory: Hospitals, death of a parent
Mar 1, 2022 · 47 min
"Afterlife" by Stephen King
William Andrews, an investment banker with Goldman Sachs, dies on September 23, 2012, and finds himself confronted with his life after death. "Afterlife" appears in Stephen King's collection THE BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS. Content advisory: Descriptions of death, illness, sexual assault
Feb 22, 2022 · 57 min
"The Last Truth" by AnaMaria Curtis
This week: the first place winner of the LeVar Burton Reads writing contest, as co-presented by FIYAH Literary Magazine and Tor.com! A runaway and indentured thief, Eri must provide a new secret to open each new lock, at the cost of her own memory.
Feb 15, 2022 · 38 min
"Troll Bridge" by Terry Pratchett
An aging barbarian sets out to battle a bridge troll, mano a mano, and thus prove his mettle. “Troll Bridge” by Terry Pratchett, was first published in 1992. © Dunmanifestin Limited.
Feb 8, 2022 · 49 min
"John Dillinger and the Blind Magician" by Allison M. Dickson
Public Enemy Number One, John Dillinger, looks to escape the feds with the help of a cunning wizard. Content advisory: Gunfire

LeVar Burton Reads

Immersive Remix: "The Simplest Equation" by Nicky Drayden

Immersive Remix: "The Truth About Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar

Immersive Remix: "The Last Cheng Beng Gift" by Jaymee Goh

Immersive Remix: "The Usual Santas" by Mick Herron

"River's Giving" by Heather Shaw, Tim Pratt, and River Shaw

"The King of Bread" by Luis Alberto Urrea

"Family Cooking" by Ana Maria Curtis

"Down in the Dim Kingdoms" by Tobias Buckell

"#ClimbingNation" by Kim Fu

"I Was a Teenage Space Jockey" by Stephen Graham Jones

We're Back for Season 11!

Immersive Remix: "Multo" by Samuel Marzioli

Immersive Remix: "Fantaisie Impromptu No. 4 in C#min, Op. 66” by Carlos Hernandez

Immersive Remix: "Your Rover is Here" by LP Kindred

An Update! Plus Immersive Remix: "The Story We Used to Tell" by Shirley Jackson

Immersive Remix: "The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu

"Afterlife" by Stephen King

"The Last Truth" by AnaMaria Curtis

"Troll Bridge" by Terry Pratchett

"John Dillinger and the Blind Magician" by Allison M. Dickson