"The Toynbee Convector" by Ray Bradbury
May 06, 2024
The world's only time traveler finally reveals his secrets. "The Toynbee Convector" © 1983 by Ray Bradbury
Content advisory: suicide
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.
PodSkip has analyzed 2 episodes of LeVar Burton Reads, averaging 9.5 ads per episode (16% of runtime).
Episodes
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"The November Story" by Rebecca Makkai
Apr 29, 2024
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…
"She Builds Quick Machines" by Lyndsie Manusos
Apr 22, 2024
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…
"When the Apples are Ripe" by Diane Oliver
Apr 15, 2024
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…
"The Coffin Maker" by AnaMaria Curtis
Apr 08, 2024
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…
"The Appropriation of Cultures" by Percival Everett
Apr 01, 2024
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…
"The Hidden Forests of Earth and Mars" by Anna Zumbro
Mar 25, 2024
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…
"Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush" by Luis Alberto Urrea
Mar 18, 2024
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 World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key
Mar 11, 2024
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 THE…
"Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski
Mar 04, 2024
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 to…
"Folk Hero Motifs in Tales Told by the Dead" by KT Bryski
Feb 26, 2024
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 a child
"The Destroyer" by Tara Isabella Burton
Feb 19, 2024
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…
Watch Out, Lucky Season 13 is Coming!
Feb 12, 2024
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 Urrea…
Atlas Obscura presents: Mafra Palace Library Bats
Feb 06, 2024
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 18, 2023
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 the…
"Waystation City" by A.T. Greenblatt
Dec 11, 2023
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…
"Three Roses" by Karmen Špiljak
Dec 04, 2023
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 27, 2023
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 20, 2023
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 Young Readers, an imprint of…
Sound Detectives! Episode 2
Nov 19, 2023
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…
"Galaxy Girl and the November Monstrosity" by Aleksandra Hill
Nov 13, 2023
A superhero returns home for Thanksgiving. Find more from Aleksandra Hill at aleksandrahill.com and khoreomag.com.
Introducing: Sound Detectives!
Nov 13, 2023
LeVar Burton presents SOUND DETECTIVES – a funny, engaging, and thought-provoking podcast that invites elementary school-aged kids to explore the magic and mystery of sound.
Breaking News – Across…
"The Many Taste Grooves of the Chang Family" by Allison King
Nov 06, 2023
Siblings try to jog their ailing father's memory through his sense of taste. They discover that as much as he's lost -- he's retained his sense of humor. Find more from the author at…
"Sin Eater" by Ian R. MacLeod
Oct 30, 2023
A robot "sin eater" is called to perform a vital service for the last human on earth. This story appears in the author's collection, entitled RAGGED MAPS.
Content advisory: violence, death
"Those Fantastic Lives" by Bradley Sides
Oct 23, 2023
A chain-smoking psychic is ready to retire, but first, she's got to see one last client. Find more from the author at www.bradley-sides.com.
Content advisory: reference to child death
"The Clockmaker and His Daughter" by Tobi Ogundiran
Oct 16, 2023
A story about the bond between father and daughter, cities both big and small, clocks, trees, and hope in a society designed to squash all hope. Find more from the author at…
"The Court Magician" by Sarah Pinsker
Oct 09, 2023
A young magician is given the opportunity to learn real magic, but it comes with consequences. This story appears in Sarah Pinsker's collection LOST PLACES, published by Small Beer Press.
Content…
"Dragonflies" by Shannon Sanders
Oct 02, 2023
Knick-knacks are tagged, life choices are interrogated, and secrets are revealed after the family matriarch passes away. This story appears in Shannon Sanders' collection COMPANY, published by…
"Mr. McCaslin" by Peter S. Beagle
Sep 25, 2023
Neighborhood kids help a curmudgeonly old man with a family curse. This story appears in The Essential Peter S. Beagle: Volume 2. For more of Peter S. Beagle's work, visit…
"The Tin Man" by Lilliam Rivera
Sep 18, 2023
The sole survivor of a pandemic must determine the true intentions of a robot who arrives to save her. This story appears in RECLAIM THE STARS: 17 TALES ACROSS REALMS AND SPACE. For more of Lilliam…