Author: Christian Watson
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Rating: 4/5
Buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. How Lucky Am I publishes July 28, 2026.

What Is It About

How Lucky Am I follows Mr Skelly, a gentle skeleton wandering through joy, loss, grief, and love in search of family and a place to call home. Along the way he picks up life lessons about what to hold onto, what to let go of, and how to find beauty in the present moment. It sounds simple because it is. That’s exactly the point.

The Illustrations

Let’s start here because they deserve their own moment. Christian Watson’s hand painted artwork is stunning. Every page is lush and warm and inviting. This is the kind of book you slow down for. You don’t rush through it. You sit with each page and let it breathe. The illustrations don’t just complement the words, they carry equal weight.

The Words

Inspiring is the right word but it doesn’t quite capture it fully. Comforting is closer. This book has a way of putting its hand on your shoulder and telling you it’s going to be okay and somehow you just believe it. That is not easy to pull off and Watson does it effortlessly.

There is a gentleness to the writing that never tips into saccharine. It feels earned. Like wisdom from someone who has actually been through something rather than platitudes printed on a motivational poster.

A Book You Come Back To

I have already read this three times. Three times before I even sat down to write this review. That tells you everything you need to know. This is not a one and done book. It is the kind of thing you pick up when you need a reminder, when the world feels heavy, when you just need someone to tell you that you are going to be okay.

I will absolutely be buying a physical copy when it comes out July 28th. This is a book that deserves a permanent spot on your shelf.

Final Thoughts

How Lucky Am I is a rare and beautiful thing. A book that is simple on the surface and quietly profound underneath. Five stars without hesitation. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

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