Hoping to make their fortune (or at least climb out of debt), a trio of space traders travel on a dangerous hunt for a space whale. "An Equal Share of the Bone" was originally published at Escape Pod. Find more of Karen Osborne's work at www.karenosborne.com. Content Advisory: Animal death. Our immersive audio is best with headphones! If you'd prefer to listen without immersive audio, visit levarburtonpodcast.com/mono.

LeVar Burton Reads

Immersive Remix: "An Equal Share of the Bone" by Karen Osborne

In a small German village, an orphaned boy lives at a home for "displaced persons," and puzzles over where he belongs."D.P.” from the book WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE by Kurt Vonnegut. Copyright © 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

"D.P." by Kurt Vonnegut

As a generation ship hurtles toward a distant star, one of its crew members receives a rare and precious opportunity. For more from Gregory Marlow, visit www.greganimates.com/writing.html. Content advisory: illness, death

"The Destination Star" by Gregory Marlow

An artist works as a dream concierge, creating augmented dream packages for clients. For more from Violet Allen, visit her on Twitter @blipstress.Content advisory: mind / body control

"Mister Dawn, How Can You Be So Cruel?" by Violet Allen

A time traveler is stranded in a small town. This story appears in SOMEONE IN TIME: TALES OF TIME-CROSSED ROMANCE, published by Solaris. Find more from Jeffrey Ford at well-builtcity.com. Content advisory: suicide

"The Golden Hour" by Jeffrey Ford

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

"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran

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.

"Wok Hei St" by Guan Un

A financial advisor meets his new client: a hardworking, unassuming man with a curious and potentially life-changing secret.

Immersive Remix: "The Foster Portfolio" by Kurt Vonnegut

A waitress is jolted from her morning routine when she's visited by a mysterious child.

Immersive Remix: "Silver Door Diner" by Bishop Garrison

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.

Immersive Remix: "The Simplest Equation" by Nicky Drayden

A young girl explores her own power, and finds kinship with a bird of prey.

Immersive Remix: "The Truth About Owls" by Amal El-Mohtar

A family matriarch takes up residence in the Underworld.

Immersive Remix: "The Last Cheng Beng Gift" by Jaymee Goh

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.

Immersive Remix: "The Usual Santas" by Mick Herron

A mystical phenomenon brightens the dreary days of winter — until one year, when it suddenly stops.

"River's Giving" by Heather Shaw, Tim Pratt, and River Shaw

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.

"The King of Bread" by Luis Alberto Urrea

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...

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LeVar Burton Reads

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