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"The Toynbee Convector" by Ray Bradbury
May 07, 2024 43 min EXPLICIT

"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

"The November Story" by Rebecca Makkai
Apr 30, 2024 49 min EXPLICIT

"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 Publ...

"She Builds Quick Machines" by Lyndsie Manusos
Apr 23, 2024 38 min EXPLICIT

"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...

"When the Apples are Ripe" by Diane Oliver
Apr 16, 2024 44 min EXPLICIT

"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 NEIG...

"The Coffin Maker" by AnaMaria Curtis
Apr 09, 2024 49 min EXPLICIT

"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 a...

"The Appropriation of Cultures" by Percival Everett
Apr 02, 2024 33 min EXPLICIT

"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 DAMNE...

"The Hidden Forests of Earth and Mars" by Anna Zumbro
Mar 26, 2024 43 min EXPLICIT

"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 fr...

"Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush" by Luis Alberto Urrea
Mar 19, 2024 39 min EXPLICIT

"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&nbs...

"The World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key
Mar 12, 2024 57 min EXPLICIT

"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 T...

"Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski
Mar 05, 2024 33 min EXPLICIT

"Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski

A human street performer breaks out his boombox for an unauthorized and unwelcome performance on Planet Drx. For more from the author, visit https://culagovski.net.Content advisory: references...

"Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead" by KT Bryski
Feb 27, 2024 46 min EXPLICIT

"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 ...

"The Destroyer" by Tara Isabella Burton
Feb 20, 2024 53 min EXPLICIT

"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.taraisabel...

Watch Out, Lucky Season 13 is Coming!
Feb 13, 2024 3 min EXPLICIT

Watch Out, Lucky Season 13 is Coming!

LeVar Burton Reads is back with all-new episodes starting February 20th, but if you don't want to wait, you can get a taste right here! Look out for stories from Rebecca Makkai, Luis Alberto U...

Atlas Obscura presents: Mafra Palace Library Bats
Feb 06, 2024 15 min EXPLICIT

Atlas Obscura presents: Mafra Palace Library Bats

We champion the work of librarians at LeVar Burton Reads, not least because they preserve books and maintain archives of important information for generations to come. Today, we’re sharing a story ...

A 99% Invisible / LeVar Burton Crossover!
Dec 19, 2023 49 min EXPLICIT

A 99% Invisible / LeVar Burton Crossover!

If you’ve been listening to LeVar's new podcast Sound Detectives, you know there's something irresistible about a missing sound. That’s why we teamed up with our friends at 99% Invisible to tell th...

"Waystation City" by A.T. Greenblatt
Dec 12, 2023 45 min EXPLICIT

"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 atgree...

"Three Roses" by Karmen Špiljak
Dec 05, 2023 44 min EXPLICIT

"Three Roses" by Karmen Špiljak

A mysterious pub draws in lost souls on Christmas Eve. This story appears in the author's collection ADD CYANIDE TO TASTE: A COLLECTION OF DARK TALES WITH CULINARY TWISTS. 

"The Pilgrim and the Angel" by E. Lily Yu
Nov 28, 2023 41 min EXPLICIT

"The Pilgrim and the Angel" by E. Lily Yu

An angel surprises a humble coffee shop owner in Cairo. This story appears in E. Lily Yu's collection JEWEL BOX, published by Erewhon Books.

Immersive Remix: "The Takeback Tango" by Rebecca Roanhorse
Nov 21, 2023 41 min EXPLICIT

Immersive Remix: "The Takeback Tango" by Rebecca Roanhorse

A teenage thief embarks on a mission to reclaim her people's sacred treasures. First published in A UNIVERSE OF WISHES in 2020 in the United States by Crown Books for ...

Sound Detectives! Episode 2
Nov 20, 2023 32 min EXPLICIT

Sound Detectives! Episode 2

Enjoy more LeVar, more Detective Hunch, and more Audie with Episode #2 of LeVar's new podcast, SOUND DETECTIVES!SOUND DETECTIVES is a funny, engaging, and thought-provoking podcast that invites ele...