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

Jun 11, 2019 · 48 min
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 2 by Ted Chiang
Join us for the conclusion of this time travel tale set in medieval Baghdad. “The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate” is from EXHALATION by Ted Chiang, published by Penguin Random House Audio, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House (www.penguinrandomhouse.com/levar) and Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR).
Jun 5, 2019 · 53 min
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 1 by Ted Chiang
A wandering merchant in medieval Baghdad is brought before the Caliph, and recounts tales of ingenious gates that allow time travel to the past and future. “The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate” is from EXHALATION by Ted Chiang, published by Penguin Random House Audio, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House (www.penguinrandomhouse.com/levar) and Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR).
May 21, 2019 · 44 min
"Toward Happy Civilization" by Samanta Schweblin
A man finds something strange going on at a rural train station. “Toward Happy Civilization” is from MOUTHFUL OF BIRDS by Samanta Schweblin, published by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. This episode is sponsored by Aunt Fannie's (www.auntfannies.com/summer code: LEVAR).
May 14, 2019 · 40 min
"The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex" by Tobias S. Buckell
A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan -- until an incident involving a wealthy alien tourist imperils his livelihood. Content advisory: alien death. This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/LEVAR) and Aunt Fannie's (www.auntfannies.com/summer code: LEVAR).
May 7, 2019 · 42 min
"Republica and Grau" by Daniel Alarcón
A ten year old boy is enlisted to help a blind man beg at a traffic intersection, and is exposed to a new side of humanity. “Republica and Grau” is from THE KING IS ALWAYS ABOVE THE PEOPLE by Daniel Alarcón, published by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. This episode is sponsored by Amazon Kindle (www.amazon.com/levarburton), Calm (www.calm.com/LEVAR), and Aunt Fannie's (www.auntfannies.com/summer code: LEVAR).
Apr 30, 2019 · 33 min
"Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride" by Saladin Ahmed
A bounty hunter reminisces about his escapades with an old mentor and friend in this weird western. This story appears in the magazine BENEATH CEASELESS SKIES. This episode is sponsored by Amazon Kindle (www.amazon.com/levarburton).
Apr 16, 2019 · 45 min
"Kwoon" by Charles Johnson
A martial arts instructor meets his match. "Kwoon" appears in Charles Johnson's collection DR. KING'S REFRIGERATOR AND OTHER BEDTIME STORIES. This episode is sponsored by Calm (www.calm.com/LEVAR) and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/LEVAR).
Apr 9, 2019 · 55 min
"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 2, 2019 · 43 min
"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).
Feb 12, 2019 · 1 hr 2 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 5, 2019 · 1 hr
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.
Jan 29, 2019 · 50 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 22, 2019 · 50 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 8, 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.
Dec 18, 2018 · 46 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 11, 2018 · 57 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).
Oct 9, 2018 · 31 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 2, 2018 · 53 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).
Sep 25, 2018 · 48 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 18, 2018 · 30 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).

LeVar Burton Reads

"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 2 by Ted Chiang

"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 1 by Ted Chiang

"Toward Happy Civilization" by Samanta Schweblin

"The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex" by Tobias S. Buckell

"Republica and Grau" by Daniel Alarcón

"Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride" by Saladin Ahmed

"Kwoon" by Charles Johnson

"Free Jim's Mine" by Tananarive Due

"Miracle" by Tope Folarin

LIVE! in Boston: "Mono No Aware" by Ken Liu

LIVE! in New Jersey: "Driftglass" by Samuel R. Delany

LIVE! in DC: "A Dark Night" by Edward P. Jones

LIVE! in Dallas: "In the City of Martyrs" by Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam

LIVE! in Atlanta: "The Vishakanya's Choice" by Roshani Chokshi

LIVE! in Austin: "Asymmetry" by Kendra Fortmeyer

LIVE! in Brooklyn: "Playing Nice with God's Bowling Ball" by N.K. Jemisin

"Morning Child" by Gardner Dozois

"Yiwu" by Lavie Tidhar

"Singing on a Star" by Ellen Klages

"The Cell Phones" by Karen E. Bender