The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting. 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 Neil Gaiman, Haruki Murakami, Octavia Butler, Ray Bradbury and more to life. So, if you’re ready, let’s take a deep breath...
180 Available Episodes (181 Total)Average duration: 00:40:57
Jan 31, 2023
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran
00:50:25
A hapless salesman flees the librarian hell-bent on retrieving her lost library book. This story appears in Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, published by Tordotcom in hardcover and e-book, and by Recorded Books in audiobook format. For more from the author, visit tobiogundiran.com.
Content advisory: Explicit language, gore
Jan 24, 2023
"Wok Hei St" by Guan Un
00:42:45
A story of a stolen wok, magic, and manipulation. This story was originally published in Strange Horizons. You can find more of the author's work at guanun.com.
Jan 17, 2023
Immersive Remix: "The Foster Portfolio" by Kurt Vonnegut
00:46:44
A financial advisor meets his new client: a hardworking, unassuming man with a curious and potentially life-changing secret.
Jan 10, 2023
Immersive Remix: "Silver Door Diner" by Bishop Garrison
00:48:52
A waitress is jolted from her morning routine when she's visited by a mysterious child.
Jan 03, 2023
Immersive Remix: "The Simplest Equation" by Nicky Drayden
00:34:47
A struggling college student gains new perspective on her studies from her classmate, who's come to study from another planet. Find more of the author's work at www.nickydrayden.com.
Dec 27, 2022
Immersive Remix: "The Truth About Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar
00:46:47
A young girl explores her own power, and finds kinship with a bird of prey.
Dec 20, 2022
Immersive Remix: "The Last Cheng Beng Gift" by Jaymee Goh
00:34:44
A family matriarch takes up residence in the Underworld.
Dec 13, 2022
Immersive Remix: "The Usual Santas" by Mick Herron
00:39:00
A group of mall Santas celebrating Christmas Eve discover that there is a stranger in their midst.
"The Usual Santas" appears in Mick Herron's collection DOLPHIN JUNCTION, published by Soho Press (US) and John Murray (UK), 2021.
Dec 06, 2022
"River's Giving" by Heather Shaw, Tim Pratt, and River Shaw
00:37:36
A mystical phenomenon brightens the dreary days of winter — until one year, when it suddenly stops.
Nov 29, 2022
"The King of Bread" by Luis Alberto Urrea
00:48:51
A boy discovers his father's hidden kingdom.
This story appears in the anthology Small Odysseys: Selected Shorts Presents 35 New Stories, published by Algonquin Books. Find more from Luis Alberto Urrea at luisurrea.com.
Jan 31 | 00:50:25
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran
Jan 24 | 00:42:45
"Wok Hei St" by Guan Un
Jan 17 | 00:46:44
Immersive Remix: "The Foster Portfolio" by Kurt Vonnegut
Jan 10 | 00:48:52
Immersive Remix: "Silver Door Diner" by Bishop Garrison
Jan 03 | 00:34:47
Immersive Remix: "The Simplest Equation" by Nicky Drayden
Dec 27 | 00:46:47
Immersive Remix: "The Truth About Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar
Dec 20 | 00:34:44
Immersive Remix: "The Last Cheng Beng Gift" by Jaymee Goh
Dec 13 | 00:39:00
Immersive Remix: "The Usual Santas" by Mick Herron
Dec 06 | 00:37:36
"River's Giving" by Heather Shaw, Tim Pratt, and River Shaw
Nov 29 | 00:48:51
"The King of Bread" by Luis Alberto Urrea
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