How Lucky Am I

by Christian Watson

In this poignant, affirming, and beautifully illustrated journey, social media sensation Mr Skelly explores the ups and downs of existence and discovers the makings of a meaningful life.

"How lucky am I, to have lost what I wanted, to find what I deserved?"

Join Mr Skelly as he travels across treacherous terrains, through times of joy, loss, grief and love, to find his family and–-ultimately–-a safe home. Along the way, he discovers life lessons which help us remember what to hold onto and what to let go of, helping us to seize the day, to realize how lucky we all are, because this beautifully fragile present moment is truly all we have.

How Lucky Am I? is a simple reminder that, in the end, we're all made of the same bones. With gentle words and hand-painted imagery, this book hopes to shine a softer light on what's often overlooked--and maybe, in doing so, help us remember what truly matters.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Nonfiction, Self Help, Cozy, Graphic Novels Comics, Poetry

128 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2026

About the author

Christian Watson is a designer living in Tasmania (Australia) as an American, and is the guy behind 1924us and Mr Skelly. Mr Skelly was created for Christian’s two children, Lavender-May and Alaska. Together with his wife, they run a little general store where they collect, design, and sell their own goods.

Reviews

[Grace Btrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

At its heart, this book is a collection that reminds us that we are human, we are part of nature, we are alive, and we will die.
It weaves these simple truths together through gorgeous illustrations that bring together the outdoors, the wild, the simple, and the details. 🎨
All of it is paired with thoughtful reflections from another human sharing their own experiences and observations. 🌿

Thank you Clarkson Potter and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

wonderful lil illustrations of a skeleton enjoying nature, embracing life and death - but the accompanying platitudes are unbearably trite.

the soft art is certainly the high point! i love to see a skelly out in the wild. sun dappled forests, wildflower lined streams, crumbling moss covered walls, grassy cliffsides - i want to fall inside these scenes and soak them up.

but unfortunately much of the text is a mishmash of ~DON'T GIVE UP~ inspo crap. it's often incongruous with the illustrations, and can be redundant from page to page. "it is what it is" and "do the best you can" are oft-repeated and feel utterly meaningless. i almost wish the text was omitted entirely, as its hollowness detracts from the beautiful art.

the one exception is a passage toward the end, written across a handful of pages: "i hope death feels like being picked up from the backseat and carried to my bed half asleep, where tucked in and eyes closed i can hear those who love me talking through a cracked door." this section nearly redeems all of the clunky cliches that precede it.

this is worth picking up for the charming art, but be prepared to roll your eyes at the corny text!

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How lucky am I to be broken so the light could come in."

We all believe that certain aspects of life are taboo and steer clear of those while having a conversation. It's something every single one of us does to not hurt anyone else's feelings or to be deemed morbid. We spare those feelings and keep them hidden deep inside. Skelly is here to tell us that it's part of life and okay to talk about.

I came across Skelly while doom-scrolling (I probably should have been reading my book) and I couldn't help but love the illustration and the uplifting/positive message. Usually, those aren't two things that go hand in hand but it really worked. I was hooked from that day and actively sought out more.

This collection is fantastic and gave me a lot of hope. You can never tell what kind of support you need in your everyday life and this seemed to hit everything perfectly.

We all need a little extra boost and Skelly is here to save the day. I don't know what we would do without Skelly.

[Kimberly Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and the messages are easy to digest while still carrying weight. It’s the kind of book that reminds you to live in the present, let go of what you can’t control, and trust that hard seasons will pass. Sometimes we all just need that soft reminder and this book delivers it in a really lovely way.

[Mystic Faerie ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful book. The artwork... the words... everything about it. In a world of AI, it's nice to see someone get back to the basics, and Christian has the talent to do so. I don't think there's any other character on social media like Mr. Skelly that has touched my soul so deeply. It's what I needed to hear at this time in my life. I'd recommend this book to anyone - I think it has something in it for everyone.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim to read on my lunch break at work, not knowing much about it or it's origins - apparently its got a big online following but I don't frequent those spheres very often - and for a small, illustrated self-help/mindfulness book, largely made up of simple yet specific-feeling affirmations, featuring a hand-drawn skeleton, I found this to be surprisingly affecting, philosophical and moving.

Am I getting old? Is this why this kind of book is suddenly appealing to me? Maybe.
Is this book and it's message just finding me at the right time in my life? Also maybe.
But I nonetheless I very much appreciated what this book shared with me and I found it unexpectedly profound.

[Grace -thewritebooks]

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I am very familiar with Christian Watson's work, having followed him on Instagram from many years. At this point, I'm sure most social media users will have seen at least a clip or two of his uniquely styled animation of Mr Skelly and the life-affirming sayings that accompany the art. There is something inherently peaceful about the design of these pages, the soft haze to the backgrounds and the use of colours creating landscapes that a reader can project their own locations onto. It's a book of hope for the future and trusting in whatever process you believe in, I don't doubt that the physical print will be a true thing of beauty.

[Cas ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these skelly animations online, and I feel like the content creator is a really cool guy that believes in & stands for something. His dedication to keeping things human made, from his animations and art to his organic plushie in the work, he just… seems like he cares in a really soft way that the world needs right now. You can really feel that in his work too, there is a very deep warmth and softness to his art that makes them feel cozy and a bit like coming home after a long day.

I think that this book would make a great gift to someone who is struggling or depressed, because there is also a level of melancholia thats familiar and comfortable, but in a way thats safe, not destructive. It speaks to your soul — the weariness that many of us are no doubt feeling right now — in an encouraging way, a gentle way that doesn’t invalidate those low feelings but instead let’s you feel a little flicker of hope.

For a lot of people this will be just another illustrator putting together an art book, but for the right people it’ll be a comfort and a tangible reminder that even if things are bad now, they can always get better… even if life is short and wears us down to our bones, it can get better.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Skelly has always been a comfort character with wise words of affirming the truth. I have been a huge fan of the author's work and it always elevates me from my overthinking.

In this book, Mr Skelly travels far and wide while letting various emotions run its course. With any desperation and short- cuts, he inspires others to not let fear manipulate you into thinking negative things. Every emotion has its unique impact. The life lessons that Mr Skelly shares speaks of experiences of living in the moment, letting go of uncertainties and overwhelming thoughts and believing that each sunrise is a new beginning.

With beautiful illustrations, this book also highlights masterful storytelling with one page explanation. Mr Skelly makes it easier to talk about grief, loss, vulnerabilities and more. He then reaches home- a place of safety and warmth that makes the entire journey worth it.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so sweet, cozy, and full of so many important messages! This is such a beautiful blend of a self help book and a beautiful art book! I’ve followed Christian Watson on Instagram for a few years now and it was so nice to see his art compiled into such a lovely book!

I definitely recommend this for any finds of creepy cute art or anyone who’s looking a book with a positive message!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Alessia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

"Sometimes just being alive is an act of courage"

How Lucky Am I is one of those graphic novels that captivated me from the very first page to the last. It came into my life at exactly the right moment, helping me get back up after a difficult period I’ve been going through these past months.
Both the illustrations and the words by Christian Watson are beautiful. In his writing I found many small reminders and reasons to keep moving forward.
Within these pages I found so much to reflect on and carry with me, little thoughts and feelings that I want to hold onto and bring into my everyday life.
Some books arrive when you need them the most, and this was definitely one of them. I’m really grateful I found it when I did.
I’m truly grateful to Christian Watson for creating Mr. Skelly and for letting me experience his journey.

[The Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Lucky Am I by Christian Watson is less of a traditional story and more of a quiet conversation about life, loss, gratitude, and what it truly means to be alive. Through the gentle journey of Mr. Skelly, a lovable skeleton wandering through breathtaking landscapes, Watson reminds us that our mortality isn't something to fear, but something that makes every ordinary moment extraordinary.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning. Every page feels like a piece of art, inviting you to slow down and appreciate the beauty hidden in simple moments. Mr. Skelly is both whimsical and deeply comforting, proving that even a skeleton can become one of the warmest, most relatable characters you'll meet.

What makes this book special is its message. It encourages readers to let go of what they cannot control, embrace change, and cherish the people and moments that make life meaningful. Rather than offering loud, dramatic inspiration, it speaks with quiet honesty, making its reflections feel sincere and heartfelt.

Some of the affirmations can feel familiar if you've read many inspirational books before, and there are moments where the messages lean into well-known life advice. However, the combination of Watson's beautiful artwork and gentle storytelling gives those ideas a fresh emotional weight that lingers long after the final page.

How Lucky Am I is a book to return to whenever life feels overwhelming. It's a reminder to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the fragile beauty of simply being here. If you enjoy illustrated books filled with hope, mindfulness, and reflections on the human experience, this is one you'll want to keep close and perhaps revisit whenever you need a little perspective.

[Raisa (TBRaisaa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/✨ for How Lucky Am I by Christian Watson.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the ARC of this beautiful e-comic.

I am honestly on the verge of tears thinking about how something so short could make me feel so much. Beauty, sadness and above all gratitude. In this comic, the author explains that he is not afraid of death, which is why skeletons play such a central role in his art. He shares how deeply grateful he is for life. For who he is and also for who he did not become.

What truly stayed with me is the message that it’s okay not to be okay and that we should be gentle with ourselves. We don’t get extra time in life, but we do get the time we have. And we can choose to fill that time with kindness, especially toward ourselves.

I will 100% be buying a physical copy of this book and returning to it whenever I doubt myself, when life feels like it’s working against me or when I need to learn how to believe in myself again.

This was genuinely beautiful. I’m going to sit with this for a while now… and hug my children and loved ones a little tighter.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review, but I also ended up buying a copy!

There’s a reason why I requested this (other than my weird love of skeletons). I normally use Pinterest just for recipes, but sometimes when I can’t sleep, I’ll scroll through it, and because when I'm spiralling at night I tend to look at pithy posts or poetry snippets, a few of these Skelly posts popped up in my feed. I thought they were really nice reminders to be present in life, especially when I was stressed out.

It’s a graphic novel/coffee table book, and it’s basically just beautiful pictures combined with an artfully placed skeleton character (or two), with a few pages here and there providing some explanations or content to a set of following images. Some (jaded) people might consider them trite, but sometimes when you’re in a shitty spot in life, gentle reminders that this life is all we have and to take the time to just breathe and be kind to yourself do work to calm you down.

The pictures are soothing and often whimsical, which serve to heighten the ideas behind it. It's a lovely little book.

[Hoarding Wyrm | Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this ARC.

This beautiful, thoughtful little graphic novel works for both children and adults, and does something simply remarkable: it reminds you, gently but firmly, of the things you already know but rarely stop to sit with. That our time here is short. That we shouldn’t take things for granted. That it is absolutely okay, sometimes, for things not to work out the way we wanted… and to not be okay about it. We move through life carrying these truths, consciously or not. Seeing them laid out simply on the page can feel confrontational, but in the best possible way. I got a little emotional towards the end, not going to lie.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, the colour palette is stunning, and Mr. Skelly is just plain adorable. This is one I’ll absolutely be picking up a physical copy of.

I’ll leave you with my favourite quote to sit with:

“I have very little say in the good or the bad coming to me, but I do have control in how I see, feel, and experience it.“

[Ellenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘You can’t give your life more time so give your time more life’ 🌷💀

[The Reading Frog (semi ia 3-6 August) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Christian Watson, Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, NetGalley & Edelweiss (since I received a copy from both) for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
Re-readability: Yes
CW: Death.
My chosen soundtrack: The New Year's Ball - Checkpoint
Publishing date: Expected 30 Jul 26

I hope death feels like
Being picked up from the backseat
And carried to my bed half asleep
Where tucked in and eyes are closed
I can hear those who love me talking through a cracked door

Themes
Death, the unknown, appreciating life, introspection, stagnation, (un)certainty, beauty in the mundane, reframing/rethinking, change or the lack thereof, control or the lack thereof, gratitude, human connection, being intentional, positive/neutral nihilism, inevitability.

What I liked
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Beautiful illustrations. I have followed Christian Watson on Instagram for a while now, and his work has always resonated. The colors are just 10/10, and many of the illustrations make me feel like I'm viewing life through the golden hour or while sitting next to a cozy campfire.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Introspective and driven by emotions. It touches on some heavy subjects without becoming too heavy to carry. Many aspects of life are explored through a neutral lens. Quite hopeful, without being obstrusive. It feels like midnight talks with a friend, profound but safe.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ I loved the backstory on how Mr. Skelly came to be, and just overall the author's written discourse on death.

So, I have set out on a funny, seemingly impossible, quest of rebranding death as not scary, not something to glorify or seek out, but something to accept and embrace. A mission to see skeletons not as hardcore, death-bringing symbols, but as softened versions of who we are and who we are all guaranteed to become.

‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ This book really captures this kind of vibe: "We're literally living on a rock floating through space, whatever." Almost nihilistic, but in a positive way. Exploring liberation through seeing life for what it is. Not inherently bad, not inherently good. It just is. There is no toxic positivity or an intense focus on all that is negative. Life, and death as well, is met with neutrality in this book.

It's not always meant to work out
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It's not always meant to fall apart

‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ It acknowledges our place in our lives as active participants, but also focuses on how some things are just beyond our control and should be met just as they are.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ The number of animals in the illustrations!!!
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ This quote really touched me

What happens to you is not who you are

‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ I liked this duality of acknowledging that time is finite, but life, in its own way, is infinite.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ The last few pages on the hopes of what death would be like really got to me. I hadn't really expected that. It was a nice surprise, though.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ The illustrations tell a story of their own, of people meeting, building a family, and, as all life does eventually, death. A full circle.


What I didn't like/felt lackluster about
‎ ‎ ‎ ✦ I loved the longer written parts and most of the text accompanying the illustrations. However, there were some texts I felt like I'd heard many times before. Some pages might have worked better for me personally if no text had been included at all. But this is, honestly, such a small complaint, since I LOVED most of this book.


Conclusion/Notes
How Lucky Am I takes readers along a reflective journey about life, living, and death. It's hopeful yet realistic in its depiction of life not always being perfect. Even so, life is still regarded as something beautiful.

Even without the accompanying texts, this work can be viewed as a wonderful art book. The illustrations are beautiful, with amazing colors and a certain whimsy that balances out the gravity of its subject(s).

Though I have met Mr. Skelly before, it felt wonderful to walk along his side a little longer.

Follow me on Spotify for specific reading playlists.

[Jane B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press and Net Galley provided me with an advanced reader copy of this book to read in return for an honest review.

I had not been aware of Mr. Skelly before this book, but apparently he’s pretty big on social media. This is a lovely, hopeful little book about he and his family. The illustrations are whimsical, and some of the accompanying mantras really stuck with me.

This would be the perfect book read in one sitting or to pick up and flip to your favorite illustrations any time.

[Jordan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical and awe-inspiring collection of illustrations that give you the perfect small dose of hope and therapeutic reminders of life and its purpose. Whether you are familiar with Mr. Skelly from the internet or not, the messages and reminders within this book will comfort you when life gets tough. How lucky am I…to have received this early on a day when I needed it.

Thank you to NetGalley, publishers and author for an eARC of this beautiful & highly anticipated book in exchange for my honest review.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. The art is gorgeous. If you wanted a coffee table book collection from your favorite Instagram artist, this is for you. This essentially is like leafing through a pile of skeleton-themed motivational posters. The text/narrative pages really fell flat for me. Again, the art is great!

[Irina Touw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the eARC of this. This is my honest opinion. (Dutch below)

Every time I see Mr Skelly’s art pop up on social media, it really touches me, so when I saw he was bringing out a book, I was absolutely thrilled.

And although I might have expected more of a graphic novel with a continuous narrative, rather than a book full of inspiring texts accompanied by beautiful illustrations, I certainly enjoyed the book.

It makes you reflect on life, and how you approach life yourself. As far as I’m concerned, this is a truly beautiful coffee-table book that you can open at random every now and then for a lovely reminder.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and it certainly touched me, despite its brevity (I read it in under half an hour). The only thing that would make this book even better for me is if it were told as a proper graphic novel story, rather than chunks of text followed by accompanying inspirational illustrations.

But I can definitely see myself buying the hardback in the future, purely to have it sitting around the house to leaf through.

--

Elke keer wanneer ik Mr Skelly art voorbij zie komen op social media raakt deze me, dus toen ik zag dat hij uit ging komen met een boek was ik ontzettend enthousiast.

En hoewel ik wellicht meer graphic novel had verwacht met echt een doorlopend verhaal, dan een boek vol inspirerende teksten die begeleid worden door prachtige illustraties, heb ik zeker van het boek genoten.

Het doet je nadenken over het leven, en hoe jij zelf in het leven staat. Wat mij betreft is dit echt een prachtig koffietafelboek dat je af en toe open slaat op een random pagina voor een mooie reminder.

Ik heb hier ontzettend van genoten en het heeft me ook zeker weten te raken, ondanks de korte duur (ik heb het in nog geen half uur gelezen). Het enige wat dit boek voor mij nog beter zou maken is wanneer het echt als een graphic novel verhaal zou worden verteld, i.p.v. lappen tekst met vervolgens bijbehorende inspirerende illustraties.

Maar ik zie mezelf in de toekomst absoluut de hardcover kopen, puur om in huis neer te kunnen leggen en te kunnen doorbladeren.

[Jonas Maes · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 Happy release day 🌟

How Lucky Am I by Christian Watson

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Format: e-book
Pages: 128
Genre: non-fiction / self help
Published: 28 July 2026
__________

Synopsis:
Join beloved Mr Skelly, a gentle skeleton wandering across lush landscapes and treacherous terrains, through times of joy, loss, grief and love, to find his family and – ultimately – a safe home.

Along the way, he discovers life lessons which help us remember what to hold onto and what to let go of, to realise how lucky we all are, because this beautifully fragile present moment is truly all we have.

Mr Skelly invites you to shift your lens, make peace with what you can’t control, appreciate what can’t be seen, and live your life to the utmost of your ability.
__________

Firstly, thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

I have been a fan of Mr. Skelly for a long while, before I stumbled onto this ARC on Netgalley and immediately requested it. I was so happy when it was approved and dove into it right away.

I absolutely loved this book. The comics in combination with the text to make a point and relay the life experiences was very effective. Some of the comics I already knew from the IG page, but even so, seeing them bundled and categorised in certain chapters, with a text of the author's experiences and how he came to the idea of Mr. Skelly was inspiring and for someone who has been a fan for so long, it was beautiful to see!

I always loved the art too and the fact that a skeleton was chosen as the main character. Even though it is a skeleton, the emotions are still very well portrayed and cautiously drawn. This has been a work of art and a project full of love and it shows in both the text in the book, as the comics/art.

It was very relatable to me and I am going to buy the physical copy now that it is released 🙌

#netgalley #howluckyami #1924us

[Gedankenlabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Warum ich das Leben liebe“ von Christian Watson, aus dem Englischen von Angelika Hansen übersetzt, ist für mich persönlich wesentlich mehr als nur ein unheimlich schön vom Autor selbst gestaltetes Buch und so viel mehr, als ich zu Beginn gedacht hatte. Es ist letztlich eine liebevolle Erinnerung daran den Blick wieder auf die kleinen und oft übersehenen Momente des Lebens zu richten und aus den negativ behafteten Dingen etwas gutes zu machen und in den schweren Schatten auch das Licht zu sehen. Die kurzen Texte und Illustrationen haben mich immer wieder zum Innehalten angehalten und mich einmal mehr daran erinnert, dass das Glück nicht in den großen Ereignissen steckt sondern so so oft in den ganz alltäglichen kleinen, oft auch auf den ersten Blick unscheinbaren Augenblicken. Neben den wie ich finde sehr schön gestanlteten Illustrationen, hat mich persönlich besonders die Mischung aus tiefgehenden Impulsen und der Leichtigkeit und Hoffnung, die allgegenwärtig ist sehr gefallen und abgeholt! Gerade die Figur „Mr. Skelly“, die der Autor geschaffen hat, schafft es durch Einfachheit die ernsten Themen wie Vergänglichkeit, Dankbarkeit und Hoffnung sehr schön und immer auch mal mit einer kleinen Prise Humor zu verbinden. Ich habe das Buch an einem Stück gelesen, und das wird nicht das letzte Mal gewesen sein, denn eben durch die kleinen feinen Impulse, denke ich, kann man sich immer wieder auch etwas mitnehmen, jenachdem, was einem gerade auf dem Herzen liegt oder beschäftigt.
Mein Fazit: Ein ganz wunderbares Buch für all jene, die sich gerne durch kleine Impulse anregen und durch Illustrationen abholen und begeistern lassen und sich ein bisschen an die kleinen Dingen, die so wertvoll sind erinnern lassen möchten.

[Kaleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter Publishing for an advanced copy to review, all feedback is my own.

This was my first introduction to Mr Skelly, and I’m so glad I’ve been introduced to him and to the artist behind him, Christian Watson. The moment I saw the cover art on NetGalley I was drawn to it and knew that I’d want to pick this up even if I didn’t receive the ARC. The art style is absolutely stunning and the contrast of a skeleton in it made me feel something unexpected. It was almost more serene than if it’d been a “fully fleshed” human. Flipping through the pages, I continued to feel that way, and the little messages along the way were sometimes sweet, sometimes made me to pause and reflect, and sometimes made chuckle. I’d honestly love to just hang all these pages on my walls to be able to see them everyday, I really can’t get over how beautiful the art is, and the messaging behind it. Death isn’t something I’ve been scared of really ever, it honestly seems peaceful (and that’s on living with mental health issues my whole life), but seeing Mr Skelly existing in the art and depictions of places and environments I love made me feel a little extra peace here in the world of the living and that’s all I hope for when engaging in art and literature.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Christian Watson, Ebury Ditigal, and NetGalley for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own and given freely. I already saw some of the illustrations on social media and fell in love with the beautiful art and simple life reminders. When I saw it was from an actual book I needed to see the entire collection immediately. I love the message the author expresses throughout the pages- it’s ok to be you and how lucky you are to have the perspective you do.
“Sometimes, the very best things that happen to us come from our response to the very worst. We learn who we are through the hardships we endure. Our reactions, our responses, the way we answer the call of circumstance-the call of life-shows us who we are. Things didn't work out the way you anticipated, but you're still here.”

Some of my favorite art pages and quotes included

“HOW LUCKY AM I TO BE BROKEN SO THE LIGHT COULD COME IN”

“WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY DOES NOT HAVE TO MAKE SENSE”

“ONCE YOU REALIZE YOU WON'T BE AROUND FOREVER LIFE BECOMES MAGICAL”

“You are allowed to take up space in this world, you're allowed to ask for things the way you'd like them to be.”

“MAYBE I DON'T EXIST IN THE FUTURE I'M SO
WORRIED ABOUT”

“HAPPINESS IS BRIEF, GIVE INTO IT WHEN IT FINDS YOU”

“YOU CAN'T GIVE YOUR LIFE MORE TIME SO GIVE YOUR TIME MORE LIFE”

[mena ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"i only have life because of death."

as a lover of the "mr. skelly" art videos on instagram reels, i was so excited to see that there was going to be a book featuring him! despite being a brief book, there was so much i took away from it. you have the gorgeous artwork you'd typically expect, and then these thought-provoking musings about mortality and the human experience sprinkled throughout.

death anxiety is something that many humans possess, and according to the author, creating mr. skelly is what allowed him to navigate and process that feeling of fear. i really appreciated getting to learn the backstory behind mr. skelly--it made me love the art even more, and increased my respect for the author. when "how lucky am i" finally hits the shelves, i'm heavily considering snagging a physical copy that i can periodically reread.

౨ৎ QUOTES
⟡ “the hardships, the magic, the challenges—how lucky am i to face them? how lucky am i to start a new day, to try and fail again? how lucky am i to have been here at all?”
⟡ “how lucky am i to outgrow the things not meant for me?”
⟡ “find what you would die for and live for it.”

[Hristi]

[Review of the ARC, courtesy of NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press]

Although this isn't a genre I usually gravitate toward, I knew of Mr. Skelly through Christian's Instagram page (@1924us). I've always enjoyed seeing his drawings and animations, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get my hands on his first book.

This is such a lovely, heartwarming piece of art, filled with gorgeous illustrations that make you question life, death, loss, sadness, and so many things in between. Every page is a masterpiece, full of details meant to be appreciated again and again. It made me feel less alone, it made me appreciate life more, and it made me cry.

How Lucky Am I can be read in an hour, but it's meant to be read slowly. It's meant to make you reflect on many things until you come away with a greater appreciation for your life. This is a book to be savored and cherished forever.

I only wish there had been more of it, and I truly hope there's another book someday, because this one truly felt like a warm hug.

[Juliet · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Lucky I Am is a beautiful collection of Christian Watson's stunning artwork paired with thoughtful reflections on life, love, building relationships, working through hard times, and finding contentment through every season. Watson's artwork is very famously circulated on social media. @1924us is his instagram account where users can view his works of Mr. Skelly, the main character of How Lucky I Am, and his thoughts in short-form animations. Watson's digital artwork translated extremely well to a physical book format and felt like a timeless, cohesive view of his artwork all in one place. Each piece is accompanied by a heartfelt message that tells a greater story that feels deeply personal and universally relatable. The narrative of growth, healing, and hope is one that will stick with readers as everyone experiences and is shaped by both difficult and joyful moments in life.

Overall How Lucky I Am is a comforting and beautifully designed collection that I found both inspiring and uplifting. It's beautiful art and timeless messages make this book appealing for a wide audience to read and enjoy.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Joana Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read How Lucky Am I during a pretty hard time in my life, and honestly, the timing couldn't have been better. Now that things are getting better and I’m moving forward, I can see how much this book really hit home for me.

The artwork is amazing. The illustrations are beautiful and tell so much of the story on their own. It’s a short read, but it handles tough topics like grief, change, and moving on in a very simple, grounded way, nothing cliché or overly sweet.

It’s just a really solid, beautiful graphic novel that came to me at the exact right moment. Definitely worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Autumn Rose Dearborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this! Not too many words obviously, being a comic, but the words are powerful ones & the art is STUNNING! Some pages made me teary eyed. I feel like this would be a lovely book to own so I could revisit it from time to time when I’m losing sight of what matters most & to practice gratitude. Beautiful book!