The Paris Review Podcast

Interest Level: Adult/Young Adult/Varies
Reading Level (Readng Counts Level): NR
Lexile: NR
Genre: All Types

I recently discovered the "Levar Burton Reads" podcast. I so very much enjoyed that podcast that when Levar recommended "The Paris Review" podcast, I had to check it out. In the first episode, actor and writer Wallace Shawn read "Car-Crash While Hitchhiking" by Denis Johnson. It was phenomenal. A bit gory, the tale might not be appropriate for middle school students. Since I have heard all the episodes of "Levar Burton Reads" that are currently available, I will continue to listen to "The Paris Review."

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Interest Level: Adult

Reading Level (Reading Counts Level): NR
Lexile: NL
Genre: Mystery

Finished the book

I highly recommend this book for adults. I found the characters interesting and the plot captivating. The book follows three women, Madeline, Celeste, and Jane, and their lives in a beach-side community. Jane is the newcomer to their community. Madeline and Celeste take her under their wing and their lives are forever changed. Much of the book takes place in and around an elementary school. Being in education, I found a lot that I could relate to in that setting. A story of survival, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Levar Burton Reads

Interest Level: Adult/Young Adult/Varies
Reading Level (Readng Counts Level): NR
Lexile: NR
Genre: All Types

I have recently discovered the "Levar Burton Reads" podcast. My children loved
Burton's  "Reading Rainbow" when they were kids and so did I. "Levar Burton Reads" is "Reading Rainbow" for adults. I listen to the podcast while I exercise; and I LOVE it. Burton reads short stories of all genres. In the first episode Burton reads "Kin" by Bruce McAllister. It is a sci-fi story about a boy who hires an alien hit-man. "The Lighthouse Keeper" by Daisy Johnson is a realistic tale entwined with some fable-like fantasy about a female lighthouse keeper who is obsessed with a certain fish. After each episode, Burton tells why he chose that particular story. I enjoyed hearing why he choose "The Lighthouse Keeper" and about the women in his family. His postscript of this story made me look at it in a whole new way. I felt like I was in a book club with Levar Burton! The latest episode I listened to was "Empty Places" by Richard Parks. It is a fantasy story about a wizard and a thief. Although not my favorite of the three I have listed to so far, I still found it enjoyable. As for recommending these stories to read on your own or listen to Levar Burton perform them, I would say all three are appropriate for 7th graders and older. I give "Kin" 5 out of 5 stars, "The Lighthouse Keeper" - 4 stars, and "Empty Places" - 3 1/2 stars. As for "Levar Burton Reads," I give the podcast 5 billions stars.