LeVar Burton

Shows

Episodes

  1. "The Toynbee Convector" by Ray Bradbury

    05/07/2024

    "The Toynbee Convector" by Ray Bradbury

    The world's only time traveler finally reveals his secrets. "The Toynbee Convector" © 1983 by Ray Bradbury   Content advisory: suicide

    43 min
  2. "The November Story" by Rebecca Makkai

    04/30/2024

    "The November Story" by Rebecca Makkai

    A reality TV show producer tries to make love happen, on- and off-screen. “The November Story” is from MUSIC FOR WARTIME by Rebecca Makkai, published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. 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 sign up for reminders!

    50 min
  3. "She Builds Quick Machines" by Lyndsie Manusos

    04/23/2024

    "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. 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

    39 min
  4. "When the Apples are Ripe" by Diane Oliver

    04/16/2024

    "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

    45 min
  5. "The Hidden Forests of Earth and Mars" by Anna Zumbro

    03/26/2024

    "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. Content advisory: climate change and ecological collapse

    44 min
  6. "Kin" by Bruce McAllister

    06/13/2017

    "Kin" by Bruce McAllister

    A young boy contacts an alien assassin in the hopes of saving his sister’s life. "Kin" is part of Bruce McAllister's collection THE GIRL WHO LOVED ANIMALS. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar

    33 min
  7. "Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush" by Luis Alberto Urrea

    03/19/2024

    "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.     Content advisory: sexism, sexual harassment

    39 min
  8. "The Coffin Maker" by AnaMaria Curtis

    04/09/2024

    "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.    Content advisory: pandemic, death

    50 min
  9. "The Appropriation of Cultures" by Percival Everett

    04/02/2024

    "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.

    34 min
  10. "Empty Places" Part Two by Richard Parks

    07/04/2017

    "Empty Places" Part Two by Richard Parks

    In the conclusion to our story, Jayn risks death when he infiltrates the queen’s chambers, and discovers the real reason for his mission. "Empty Places" was collected in FANTASY: THE BEST OF THE YEAR (2005). Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar.

    33 min
  11. "What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky" by Lesley Nneka Arimah

    07/11/2017

    "What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky" by Lesley Nneka Arimah

    A mathematician has discovered a formula that explains the universe and makes it possible to manipulate human bodies and emotions. "What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky" is the title story of Lesley Nneka Arimah's collection from Riverhead Books. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar.

    45 min
  12. "1000-Year-Old Ghosts" by Laura Chow Reeve

    08/15/2017

    "1000-Year-Old Ghosts" by Laura Chow Reeve

    A grandmother teaches her family to deal with difficult memories in a unique way -- by pickling them in jars. "1000-Year-Old Ghosts" appears in the new anthology PEN AMERICA BEST DEBUT SHORT STORIES 2017. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar.

    32 min
  13. "The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu

    08/29/2017

    "The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu

    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. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar.

    50 min
  14. "Sin Eater" by Ian R. MacLeod

    10/31/2023

    "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

    54 min
  15. "The Destroyer" by Tara Isabella Burton

    02/20/2024

    "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.   Content advisory: Death

    53 min
  16. "The World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key

    03/12/2024

    "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

    58 min
  17. "Waystation City" by A.T. Greenblatt

    12/12/2023

    "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.

    46 min
  18. "D.P." by Kurt Vonnegut

    02/28/2023

    "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.

    38 min
  19. "Different Kinds of Darkness" by David Langford

    02/27/2018

    "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).

    43 min
  20. "Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead" by KT Bryski

    02/27/2024

    "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.   Content advisory: Death and dying; references to the death of a child

    46 min
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