LeVar Burton Reads

A talented bowler named Lola Perez experiences a break-in and reflects on her life. She forms a friendship with a nurse named Vangie who suggests a new career path. Lola joins a bowling league and confronts the teenager who stole her ball.

Author Amal El-Mohtar explores power and finds kinship with a bird of prey in this episode. Topics include the transformation of Bladouweth, owls' hunting habits, encountering mispronunciations, reflecting on origins, learning Welsh, and exploring one's power and identity. The chapter also delves into the corrupting influence of power.

In this podcast episode, they discuss a science fiction story about friends protecting a world from intrusions. They also touch on the benefits of audiobooks and recommend one. The podcast explores the themes of hope, love, and resistance to change in a futuristic society. The hosts reflect on the importance of staying focused and engaged.

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 Now Hear This festival. This story appears in James McBride's collection FIVE CARAT SOUL, available now from Riverhead Books.

An immigrant mother uses magical origami to connect with her American-born son. The story explores their strained relationship, culminating in a poignant hospital scene. The narrator reflects on memories of their mother, finding a letter from her in the form of a paper animal. They seek a better life and reflect on the delicate nature of relationships. The hosts discuss the parallel between the paper menagerie and relationships, have a conversation with filmmaker Ava Duvernay, and share their love for Barbies.

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" appears in THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2012. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar.

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.

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

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 HALF AN INCH OF WATER, available from Graywolf Press.Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar.

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.