The thriller author on the book that explains why writers are ‘plain nuts’, and the William Goldman novel that started him on his career path

The book I am currently reading

Two at the moment: The Wych Elm by the great Irish crime writer Tana French: lyrical, suspenseful, unpredictable. And every year or so, I also reread my favourite writing manual, Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott, a series of hilarious and helpful essays. It gives the reader great insight on why we writers are a tad insecure and just plain nuts. I use it like a coach’s halftime speech to get me fired up to write.

The book that changed my life

Marathon Man by William Goldman, who died recently. My father gave it to me when I was maybe 15 or 16. It was the first time I read an adult thriller where I said to myself: “I can’t put this down – someone could put a gun to my head and I wouldn’t put this down! How lucky is this Goldman guy to do this for a living?” Subconsciously, I think, that started me on this career path. Bill Goldman later became a valued friend and mentor. I miss him greatly.

I’m not yet 'woke' – but Ta-Nehisi Coates definitely gave me a hard shake

The book I wish I’d written

This is bad karma. As you get older, you hopefully stop feeling this way. There are books I love that I think are pure genius – but I was not meant to write them. That’s a good thing. If I had written them, I wouldn’t have experienced the joy of reading them.

The book that changed my mind

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates helped open my eyes to the reality of racism in the US. Everyone should read it. I’m not yet “woke” – I think that is an evolutionary process, not something fully achievable – but Coates definitely gave me a hard shake.

The last book that made me cry

Sally Field’s memoir In Pieces. I listened to her read it on audio. It’s gut-wrenching. I cry a lot when I write – I need to cry more when I’m reading.

The last book that made me laugh

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. The novel is a total charmer.

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The book I’m most ashamed not to have read

Ulysses, Brave New World, Wuthering Heights. I could do this all day. But it doesn’t embarrass me. Time is finite, folks. I also don’t read the classics any more. For me they have become like the Beatles: I went through a period in my life when I listened to them nonstop but I almost never seek them out any more.

My earliest reading memory

PD Eastman’s Are You My Mother? A baby bird searches for his missing mother, asking the title question to a kitten, a cow and even a diesel truck. It’s a dark picture book. You’ll be gripped!

The book I give as a gift

Bird By Bird. Give this book to anyone who wants to understand (or become) an artist. It will teach you, yes, but it’s also funny and poignant.

• Run Away by Harlan Coben is published by Century (RRP £20) To order a copy go to guardianbookshop.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99.