LeVar Burton Reads
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
"Mother of Invention" by Nnedi Okorafor, Part 1
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A young woman in a future Nigeria finds herself in a deadly pollen storm, alone but for her smart home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See ...
Miniseries Coming November 17
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
LeVar announces a special three-part series featuring one of his favorite authors! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for i...
"Little Man" by Michael Cunningham
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A 200-year-old gnome desperately wants to become a father. "Little Man" is from A WILD SWAN AND OTHER TALES by Michael Cunningham, illustrated by Yu...
"The Story We Used to Tell" by Shirley Jackson
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A recently widowed woman vanishes overnight. Content advisory: violence, death “The Story We Used to Tell” is from DARK TALES by Shirley Jackson, ...
"A Good Friday" by Barbara Jenkins
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A chance encounter in a bar leads to an eventful Good Friday for a devout woman and a playboy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi...
"Low Energy Economy" by Adrian Tchaikovsky
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An asteroid miner on a solo space mission finds his sense of purpose. This story appears in the anthology CONSOLATION SONGS. Hosted by Simplecast, a...
"Wherein Abigail Fields Recalls Her First Death and, Subsequently, Her Best Life" by Rebecca Roanhorse
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A young Black girl in 1880s New Mexico territory seeks vengeance, risking life and love in the process. Content Advisory: violence, death Hosted by ...
"Dune Song" by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A young girl must negotiate her own path out of a strict community in a post-disaster desertland. Visit www.suyidavies.com for more information on Suy...
"Madre Nuestra, Que Estás en Maracaibo" by Ana Hurtado
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A woman discovers her grandmother is being haunted by unearthly spirits. Find more of Ana Hurtado's work at www.anahurtadowrites.com. Content Advisory...
"Cricket" by Kenneth Yu
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A family is both delighted and troubled by the visitation of a peculiar insect. "Cricket" was published in Lauriat: A Filipino-Chinese Speculative Fic...
"Room for Rent" by Richie Narvaez
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A family in dire straits must share their new home with a different species. This story was published in Latinx Rising: An Anthology of Latinx Science...
"The Nine Curves River" by R. F. Kuang
25 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A girl escorts her younger sister on an important and life-altering journey, while thinking back on their relationship and the nature of sacrifice. Co...
"Your Rover is Here" by LP Kindred
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A rideshare driver must spring into action when his passenger casts a dangerous and deadly spell. Content advisory: explicit language, violence, t...
"Pockets" by Amal El-Mohtar
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What could it mean to reach into your pocket and pull out... something that wasn't there before? Find more from Amal El-Mohtar at www.amalelmohtar.com...
A Conversation with James McBride (and News About Season 7!)
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You heard that correctly -- we're coming back for a new season starting August 11! So make sure to hit subscribe if you haven't already, and check out...
"The Foster Portfolio" by Kurt Vonnegut
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A financial advisor meets his new client: a hardworking, unassuming man with a curious and potentially life-changing secret."The Foster Portfolio" is ...
"Recitatif" by Toni Morrison, Part 2
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for the conclusion to Toni Morrison's tale. Twyla and Roberta's longstanding and complicated friendship becomes more challenging as they becom...
"Recitatif" by Toni Morrison, Part 1
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Two young girls, abandoned by the world, are drawn together. Content advisory: archaic/derogatory language Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company....
"Let Those Who Would" by Genevieve Valentine
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A dystopian society tackles fake news. Content advisory: violence Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...
"A Kiss with Teeth" by Max Gladstone
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In order to live an urban lifestyle as a father and husband, a domesticated vampire must suppress his darker urges. This story first appeared at Tor.c...
"Staying Behind" by Ken Liu
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As humanity tiptoes toward the Singularity, what happens to those who are left behind? This story appears in Ken Liu's new collection THE HIDDEN GIRL ...
"Skinwalker, Fast-Talker" by Darcie Little Badger
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A tabloid reporter sets out to investigate a fast-talking con man who may or may not be the trickster Coyote. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company...
"End Game" by Nancy Kress
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A man becomes obsessed with quieting the thoughts and static in his brain. You can find this story in FOUNTAIN OF AGE by Nancy Kress. Hosted by Simple...
"SPAM" by Savannah Burney
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A misanthropic B&B owner is unsettled by an encounter with one of his guests. Follow Savannah Burney on Twitter @savannahburney. Hosted by Simplecast,...
"As Worlds Collide" by Stephen Michell
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A young couple tries to make sense of an influx of mythic creatures. This story was first published in THOSE WHO MAKE US: CANADIAN CREATURE, MYTH, AND...
"Valedictorian" by N.K. Jemisin
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A smart, stubborn high school student sets her own rules in a near-future dystopia. This story appears in N.K. Jemisin's collection HOW LONG 'TIL BLAC...
"Tideline" by Elizabeth Bear
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A sentient robot searches for her purpose in a post-war world. This story was originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction magazine in March 2007....
BONUS: Behind the Scenes and a Sneak Peek at Season 6!
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for Season 6! Get a peek behind the curtain as LeVar talks about story selection, vocal exercises, and finding characters' voices. This s...
The Paris Review Podcast Returns
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Embark on audio adventures through The Paris Review's fiction, poetry, interviews, archival recordings, and sonic imaginings with the likes of Toni Mo...
"The Specialist's Hat" by Kelly Link
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Twin girls are left with a babysitter in a haunted house. “The Specialist’s Hat” © 1998 by Kelly Link. Originally published in Event Horizon, 1...
"Jump" by Cadwell Turnbull
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
An ordinary couple experiences an extraordinary event during a walk in the park. "Jump" was first published in LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE. Cadwell Turnbull's...
BONUS: Stories with Friends - Amanda Seales
11 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In Stories with Friends, LeVar invites one of his friends to sit down for a conversation inspired by a short story or another piece of literature, giv...
"The Water Museum" by Nisi Shawl
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The owner of an unusual private museum picks up a hitchhiker sent to assassinate her. This story appears in Nisi Shawl's collection FILTER HOUSE. Cont...
"The House on the Moon" by William Alexander
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A castle's mysteries begin to slowly unravel. Content advisory: mentions of death, eugenicsThis episode is sponsored by Mythical Monsters podcast (www...
"Tiger Baby" by JY Yang
24 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A woman is haunted by her dreams of being a tiger. This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR) and The Great Course...
“Blur" by Carmen Maria Machado
17 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A woman in a troubled relationship loses her glasses at a rest stop along the highway, and the world shifts in and out of focus. Content advisory: exp...
“Face Value” by Sean Williams
10 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A team of peace-keepers investigate an inventor with an astonishing claim. This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEV...
"Small Medicine" by Genevieve Valentine
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A girl scrutinizes the line between humans and robots when her grandmother is replaced with a replica. Content advisory: Death or dying, self-harming ...
"Cuisine des Mémoires" by N.K. Jemisin
27 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A themed restaurant presents a very unique opportunity to its patrons. This story appears in N.K. Jemisin's collection HOW LONG 'TIL BLACK FUTURE MONT...
"Shoggoths in Traffic" by Tobias S. Buckell
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Two co-workers repossess a car to make some quick cash, and get mixed up in a surprising and much larger scheme. Content advisory tags: Blood, Road Co...
"The Simplest Equation" by Nicky Drayden
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A struggling college student gains new perspective on her studies from her classmate, who's come to study from another planet. This story was first pu...
"L'Aquilone du Estrellas (The Kite of Stars)" by Dean Francis Alfar
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A young woman sets out on a quest to find all of the impossible materials needed to build a kite that can carry her to the stars.This episode is spon...
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 2 by Ted Chiang
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 Chi...
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 1 by Ted Chiang
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 fu...
"Toward Happy Civilization" by Samanta Schweblin
21 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A man finds something strange going on at a rural train station. “Toward Happy Civilization” is from MOUTHFUL OF BIRDS by Samanta Schweblin, publi...
"The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex" by Tobias S. Buckell
14 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan -- until an incident involving a wealthy alien tourist imperils his livelihoo...
"Republica and Grau" by Daniel Alarcón
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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” i...
"Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride" by Saladin Ahmed
30 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A bounty hunter reminisces about his escapades with an old mentor and friend in this weird western. This story appears in the magazine BENEATH CEASELE...
"Kwoon" by Charles Johnson
16 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A martial arts instructor meets his match. "Kwoon" appears in Charles Johnson's collection DR. KING'S REFRIGERATOR AND OTHER BEDTIME STORIES.This epis...
"Free Jim's Mine" by Tananarive Due
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
"Miracle" by Tope Folarin
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A congregation eagerly anticipates the healing powers of a blind prophet. "Miracle" © 2019 by Tope Folarin. From Harvard's Transition magazine, Issue...
LIVE! in Boston: "Mono No Aware" by Ken Liu
12 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
LIVE! in New Jersey: "Driftglass" by Samuel R. Delany
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 Aud...
LIVE! in DC: "A Dark Night" by Edward P. Jones
29 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 Cuff...
LIVE! in Dallas: "In the City of Martyrs" by Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A fantasy tale about a royal family, a flower seller, and a shocking discovery. Recorded live at the Majestic Theatre with musical accompaniment by Zh...
LIVE! in Atlanta: "The Vishakanya's Choice" by Roshani Chokshi
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After spending years in isolation with her vishakanya sisters, a poison maiden is given her first deadly mission. © 2015 Roshani Chokshi, as first ap...
LIVE! in Austin: "Asymmetry" by Kendra Fortmeyer
18 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
While suffering through a breakup, a woman encounters a strange figure. Recorded live in Austin at the Paramount Theatre, with musical accompaniment b...
LIVE! in Brooklyn: "Playing Nice with God's Bowling Ball" by N.K. Jemisin
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this fantastical police procedural, detectives are perplexed when a young boy confesses to a murder. "Playing Nice with God's Bowling Ball" was ori...
"Morning Child" by Gardner Dozois
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Two people reconnect in a post-apocalyptic world. © 1984 by Gardner Dozois. Originally published in OMNI. Used by permission of the author’s Estate...
"Yiwu" by Lavie Tidhar
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 episod...
"Singing on a Star" by Ellen Klages
25 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
"The Cell Phones" by Karen E. Bender
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A Rosh Hashanah service is interrupted by voices clamoring for attention. This story appears in the forthcoming collection THE NEW ORDER.This episode ...
"Jackalope Wives" by Ursula Vernon
11 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A brooding young man is captivated by a magical creature who dances in the firelight. This story appears in JACKALOPE WIVES AND OTHER STORIES by T. K...
"Fyrewall" by Stefani Cox
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In a future version of Los Angeles, a woman and her ragtag crew must repair a critical piece of technology or let the city burn to the ground.This epi...
"Fantaisie Impromptu No. 4 in C#min, Op. 66” by Carlos Hernandez
28 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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.T...
"Multo" by Samuel Marzioli
21 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A man remembers a supernatural force from his childhood. Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Pr...
"Fires" by Rick Bass
14 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this meditative tale, a runner spends a summer training in a remote mountain town. This story appears in the collection FOR A LITTLE WHILE by Rick ...
"The Last Cheng Beng Gift" by Jaymee Goh
07 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A family matriarch takes up residence in the Underworld. Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Pr...
"Sea Girls" by Daniel Wallace
31 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Two teenagers deal with family issues... and a stranded sea creature.Listen to ad-free episodes one week early, plus exclusive bonus episodes, only on...
"Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience TM" by Rebecca Roanhorse
24 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A tour guide leads virtual reality “experiences” for tourists who want to know what it’s like to be Native American. Think Black Mirror meets We...
LIVE! in Seattle: "Black Betty" by Nisi Shawl
05 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The story of Betty, and her struggle to be fully understood by her new family. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. With accompaniment by Gr...
LIVE! in Los Angeles: "Money Tree" by Nalo Hopkinson
22 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A young man sets out to uncover sunken treasure and make his fortune, and his sister must pick up the pieces. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE!...
LIVE! in San Francisco: "As Good as New" by Charlie Jane Anders
08 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A young woman unexpectedly finds herself with the fate of the world in her hands. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. With accompaniment b...
LIVE! in Chicago: "The Winds of Harmattan" by Nnedi Okorafor
24 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A young woman discovers her destiny as a Windseeker. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. With accompaniment by the legendary instrumentalis...
"The 5:22" by George Harrar
20 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When a fellow passenger on his usual train goes missing, a man begins to wonder if everything is as it seems. Find more from the author at www.georgeh...
"My Dear You" by Rachel Khong
13 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As she filters through memories and relationships, a young woman navigates a new plane of existence. Find more from the author at www.rachelkhong.com....
"Different Kinds of Darkness" by David Langford
27 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A group of children form a secret society around a mysterious and powerful artifact. This story appears in David Langford's collection DIFFERENT KINDS...
"Furry Night" by Joan Aiken
20 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
An elderly lycanthropist retires to his estate in the English countryside, but his rest is disturbed by a rowdy village tradition. "Furry Night" is c...
"Mrs. Perez" by Oscar Casares
06 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When a burglary deprives her of her most prized possession, a woman discovers just how resilient and assertive she can be. "Mrs. Perez" appears in Osc...
"The Baboon War" by Nnedi Okorafor
06 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A group of schoolgirls have a disturbing and life-altering encounter with the animal kingdom. "The Baboon War" appears in Nnedi Okorafor's collection ...
"The Truth About Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar
23 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A young girl explores her own power, and finds kinship with a bird of prey. Find more from the author at amalelmohtar.com. Thanks to our presenting sp...
"Repairing the World" by John Chu
16 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Description: Two friends are tasked with protecting a world that is literally ripping at the seams. Find more from John Chu at johnchu.net. Thanks to ...
Bonus Episode: "Goat" by James McBride
24 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A well-meaning teacher discovers a student's talent, and in the process of helping out his family, bites off more than she can chew. Recorded live at ...
"The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu
29 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 PAP...
"Navigators" by Mike Meginnis
22 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A father and son become immersed in a video game with a unusual philosophical goal -- one that's unlike any game they've played before. "Navigators" a...
"1000-Year-Old Ghosts" by Laura Chow Reeve
15 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 n...
Bonus Episode: A Conversation with Lesley Nneka Arimah
08 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Today, a special bonus episode featuring a wide-ranging conversation between LeVar and Lesley Nneka Arimah, author of "What It Means When a Man Falls ...
"Graham Greene" by Percival Everett
18 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A man is contacted by a 102-year-old woman with an unusual and seemingly impossible request. "Graham Greene" appears in Percival Everett's collection ...
"What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky" by Lesley Nneka Arimah
11 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A mathematician has discovered a formula that explains the universe and makes it possible to manipulate human bodies and emotions. "What It Means When...
"Empty Places" Part Two by Richard Parks
04 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 Pl...
"Empty Places" Part One by Richard Parks
27 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
An accomplished thief is approached by a wizard who wants to send him on an unusual mission. The two embark on a journey together, matching wits along...
"The Lighthouse Keeper" by Daisy Johnson
20 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The story of a solitary life by the sea, and a woman’s courage. "The Lighthouse Keeper" is part of FEN: STORIES, available from Graywolf P...
"Kin" by Bruce McAllister
13 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 W...