LeVar Burton Reads
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.
Latest episodes
Apr 9, 2019 • 55min
"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 • 43min
"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 • 1h 2min
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 • 1h 1min
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 • 51min
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 • 51min
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 • 51min
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 • 47min
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 • 57min
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 • 32min
"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).
