Clearly, this year I—and many of my colleagues—were into speculative, gothic stories. But how appropriate for the season, as A Christmas Carol  is one such tale! Gothic stories are perfect for reading on cold, dark nights, next to a cozy fire or under the covers. Below are my favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. Choose something from the list to buy for an appropriate reader. Enjoy. 1.  Our Wives Under the Sea, by Julia Armfield Maybe not for everyone, but I lo