194 episodes

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.

LeVar Burton Reads Stitcher Studios

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 16.4K Ratings

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.

    "The November Story" by Rebecca Makkai

    "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!

    • 49 min
    "She Builds Quick Machines" by Lyndsie Manusos

    "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

    • 38 min
    "When the Apples are Ripe" by Diane Oliver

    "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

    • 44 min
    "The Coffin Maker" by AnaMaria Curtis

    "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

    • 49 min
    "The Appropriation of Cultures" by Percival Everett

    "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.

    • 33 min
    "The Hidden Forests of Earth and Mars" by Anna Zumbro

    "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

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
16.4K Ratings

16.4K Ratings

redwitch713 ,

if levar is reading it i am listening

levar you have one of my top all time favorite voices & i have been listening to the podcast from the very first trailer - because it was like a dream come true. i grew up with reading rainbow & it at least in part i truly believe is why i love to read, & read to others, so much / the show left a huge impression; i can still recall almost every book & hear it in my head. so i was beyond excited when i stumbled on the announcement about this podcast starting because now as an adult i could read with you again. thank you for being who you are & doing this for all of us listening, please don’t ever stop. (of course, i know now that the podcast is ending & i am so sad but the stories you’ve read will always exist just like those from reading rainbow & that’s almost as good…or will have to be / thank you.) it took me so long time to write a review because i didn’t know how to in any way sum up how phenomenal it is to hear the stories you’re reading, & your thoughts about the story choices which are always so personal & poignant, etc. too, but then i figured just to share the love as it were & recommend this podcast to anyone & everyone who might read this review. i very much doubt they will regret it.

SFXS2020 ,

The best podcast

These are my bedtime stories. Absolutely love Levar and this show

8757882783948654 ,

Best story teller

Best memories of school are when rainy days sent us inside to reading rainbow, now your podcast sends me to that same amazing place of visualizing a story with deep meanings that your wonderful narration guides us through - I’ll miss this pause in my life you bring. Thank you

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