An elderly widow purchases the Holy Grail at a second-hand store, and becomes wrapped up in an epic quest. "Chivalry" appears in Neil Gaiman's collection SMOKE AND MIRRORS: SHORT FICTIONS AND ILLUSIONS from William Morrow, which is available on

"The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu

2 Aug 29th, 2017 49m 45s

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 PAPER MENAGERIE AND OTHER STORIES, available now from Saga Press. Thanks to our presenting sponso

LIVE! in Brooklyn: "Playing Nice with God's Bowling Ball" by N.K. Jemisin

Dec 11th, 2018 57m 16s

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 collect

"Small Medicine" by Genevieve Valentine

1 Sep 3rd, 2019 46m 24s

A girl scrutinizes the line between humans and robots when her grandmother is replaced with a replica. Content advisory: Death or dying, self-harming behaviorsThis episode is sponsored by There Will Come a Darkness, A Life Lived podcast, and Th

"Free Jim's Mine" by Tananarive Due

1 Apr 9th, 2019 55m 15s

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.

"The Truth About Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar

1 Jan 23rd, 2018 48m 39s

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 sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/levar.

"What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky" by Lesley Nneka Arimah

Jul 11th, 2017 45m 6s

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 Riverhe

"The World Wasn't Ready for You" by Justin C. Key

1 Mar 12th, 2024 57m 50s

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 WORLD WASN'T READY FOR YOU. Content advisory

"The Angel of Khan El-Khalili" by P. Djèlí Clark

3 Jul 20th, 2021 52m 17s

A girl visits a bazaar in Cairo, seeking a favor from a mysterious angelic being.This story first appeared in the anthology Clockwork Cairo: Steampunk Tales of Egypt. For more from the author, visit pdjeliclark.com.Content advisory: Fire, hospi

"Navigators" by Mike Meginnis

1 Aug 22nd, 2017 42m 58s

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. Star

"Drones to Ploughshares" by Sarah Gailey

2 1 Dec 28th, 2021 43m 51s

A sentient government surveillance drone is ensnared, and must determine his captor's motives. For more from Sarah Gailey, visit www.sarahgailey.com.

Revisited: "The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu

Oct 12th, 2021 49m 30s

"St. Valentine, St. Abigail, St. Brigid" by C.L. Polk

Apr 20th, 2021 53m 10s

Theresa Anne has spent years watching her mother tell fortunes and work magical spells. But when she asks to protect the girl she loves, she learns the true cost and sacrifice involved in magical requests.Find more from the author at www.clp

"Tideline" by Elizabeth Bear

1 Jan 28th, 2020 45m 41s

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. It is available in THE BEST OF ELIZABETH BEAR.Content advisory: Brief violence/combat, mentio

"Kwoon" by Charles Johnson

Apr 16th, 2019 45m 6s

A martial arts instructor meets his match. "Kwoon" appears in Charles Johnson's collection DR. KING'S REFRIGERATOR AND OTHER BEDTIME STORIES.This episode is sponsored by Calm (www.calm.com/LEVAR) and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/LEVAR).

LIVE! in Austin: "Asymmetry" by Kendra Fortmeyer

Dec 18th, 2018 46m 52s

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.

"Jackalope Wives" by Ursula Vernon

1 Sep 11th, 2018 49m 46s

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. Kingfisher.This episode is sponsored by Sierra Club (www.beyondcoal.org/stories), Bona Floor Cl

"Sea Girls" by Daniel Wallace

Jul 31st, 2018 45m 17s

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 Stitcher Premium. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/levar and use prom

LIVE! in Portland: "The Fliers of Gy" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Jun 19th, 2018 1h 1m

An interplanetary tale about those who take flight, and those who do not. Recorded on the LeVar Burton Reads LIVE! tour. This story appears in Le Guin's collection THE UNREAL AND THE REAL: SELECTED STORIES, VOLUME TWO: OUTER SPACE, INNER LANDS.

LIVE! in Seattle: "Black Betty" by Nisi Shawl

Jun 5th, 2018 1h 1m

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 Gretchen Yanover, and featuring a conversation with author Nisi Shawl.This episode is brought to

"Childfinder" by Octavia Butler

Apr 3rd, 2018 40m 7s

A telepath uses her skills to mentor children with psionic ability. "Childfinder" is available in e-book format in the collection UNEXPECTED STORIES, published by Open Road Media. The story is copyright Ernestine Walker-Zadnick. Thanks to our p

"My Dear You" by Rachel Khong

Mar 13th, 2018 41m 42s

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. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at a

"1000-Year-Old Ghosts" by Laura Chow Reeve

1 Aug 15th, 2017 31m 55s

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 Audib

"Yiwu" by Lavie Tidhar

Oct 2nd, 2018 53m 4s

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 episode is sponsored by Bona Floor Cleaners (www.bona.com), The Great Courses (www.thegreatcoursesplus.c

"Quarropts Can't Dance" by Rodrigo Culagovski

1 Mar 5th, 2024 36m 28s

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 ecocide