Paperback Author: Ashwin Sanghi Language: English Length: 160 pages Publisher: Westland

Yet another self help book

Anyone who has read anything by Ashwin Sanghi will admit that he has an engaging style and his books make a good read.

His latest offering “13 Steps to Bloody Good Luck”  is his first foray into non-fiction.

I was shopping at Westside when this book caught my eye while at the check-out counter. Since it was just Rs.100, I picked it up but later found that the same edition is available from Flipkart for Rs.75 and even cheaper Rs.60 as an e-book.

Yet despite the fact that didn’t get a discount, I have no regrets, for this book is definitely worth every penny spent on it.

The Book

After completing my first novel The Rozabal Line I was in the process of making submissions to literary agents and publishers. After sending over a hundred letters, I was sorely disappointed when polite and not-so-polite rejections arrived. a year later, it was evident to me that no one was really interested in my work.

I described my situation to a close family friend who was having diner with my father. Taking a generous gulp of his third peg of Johnnie Walker Black Label,  the gregarious Punjabi gentleman responded, “In life, ninety-nine per cent is about good luck! Just remember that son.’
In a slightly argumentative tone I asked, ‘But uncle, what about the balance one per cent? Surely that must be hard work or talent?’
Laughing loudlyh, he declared triumphantly,’The final one per cent? that’s called bloody good luck, my boy! Simply keep at it and wait for your bloody good luck to kick in.’ 

However, with a series of anecdotes and quotations from the lives of various successful people and inspirational and motivational writers, Sanghi shows how one can actually cultivate the luck required and not just wait around for it to kick in.

Unlike most people, Sanghi believes that 13 is a lucky number and identifies 13 steps to become lucky. Most of these are already familiar to all of us but it is nice to be reminded of them every once in a while.

People who are lucky are those who have the right attitude  and approach to events and opportunities that come their way. Essentially it is up to the individual to reap the benefits of what life has to offer and become lucky argues Sanghi in a lucid and entertaining manner. Indeed once while reading the book my bai was amazed to see me laugh at what she thought was nothing till she realised that I was enjoying the book.

The verdict