It’s the end of the year and time to talk about how it went, what’s worth reading, what could end up on your holiday gift lists, and what could be avoided. To kick off Coode Street’s end of year coverage, this week Roundtablers James Bradley and Ian Mond join Gary and Jonathan to discuss books they’ve loved during the year and would recommend to you, if you’re looking for some great reading.

To help you chase down the books, our lists are below:

James’s List

The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead

Hold, Kirsten Tranter

Children of Earth and Sky, Guy Gavriel Kay

Vision, Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta & Mike de Mundo

Barkskins, Annie Proulx

Goldenhand, Garth Nix

Into Everywhere, Paul McAuley

Company Town, Madeleine Ashby

Children of the New World, Alexander Weinstein

Version Control, Dexter Palmer

Europe in Winter, Dave Hutchinson


Ian’s List

Underground Airlines, Ben H. Winters

The Sudden Appearance of Hope, Claire North

Lovecraft Country, Matt Ruff

Vigil, Angela Slatter

I Am Providence, Nick Mamatas

My Best Friend's Exorcism, Grady Hendrix

What is Not Yours is Not Yours, Helen Oyeyemi

Martin John, Anakana Schofield

Solar Bones, Mike McCormack

The Obelisk Gate, N K Jemisin


Jonathan’s List

Revenger, Alastair Reynolds

Goldenhand, Garth Nix

Children of Earth and Sky, Guy Gavriel Kay

Bloom County XII: A New Hope, Berkeley Breathed

Lovecraft Country, Matt Ruff


Gary’s List

The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead

Revenger, Alastair Reynolds

Children of Earth and Sky, Guy Gavriel Kay

Central Station, Lavie Tidhar

The Dream Quest of Vellitt Boe, Kij Johnson

The Gradual, Christoper Priest

The Ballad of Black Tom, Victor LaValle


As always, our thanks to James and Ian, and we hope you enjoy the episode.