The 15-Minute Reading Habit: How to Read More Books Without Overhauling Your Schedule

How to Start Your 15-Minute Reading Habit

Want to read more books but feel like you’re too busy? The 15-minute reading habit makes it possible, even if your days are packed.

Have you ever wished you could read more books? Does it feel like there’s never enough time? Between managing work, life, and everything in between, reading often feels like a luxury.

This intentional “petite practice” can help you dive into more books, expand your knowledge, and carve out moments of peace in a busy schedule. And if finding time to sit with a physical book feels like a challenge, audiobooks and podcasts are excellent alternatives.

In this blog post, I share my 15-Minute Reading Method. Enjoy the book-reading calculator that shows how many books you can read per week, month, and year using the 15-minute reading habit!

What you’ll learn in this blog post:
– How to start a reading habit even with a busy schedule
– How many books you can read per year by committing just 15 minutes a day
– How to use audiobooks and habit stacking to stay consistent
– Book recommendations to inspire your reading routine
– The actual steps I used to become speaker-confident

How Many Books Can You Read in a Year?

Let’s Break it Down!

Here’s how the numbers break down:

• The average person reads 200–250 words per minute.
• A typical book has 60,000 words.
• You can finish a book in 4–5 hours.

If you spend just 15 minutes a day reading or listening to an audiobook, you’ll complete a book in about 16–20 days. Over the course of a year, this adds up to 18–22 books!

The Reading Calculator

Create Your Own Reading Habit

1. Set a 15-Minute Reading Goal

Are you curious how many books you can read with this habit? Try the 15-Minute Reading Calculator. Just input your reading speed and daily commitment to see how it all adds up.

The 15-Minute Reading Calculator is a quick way to see how much your daily reading can add up, based on your speed and time.

2. Create a Reading Habit with Habit Stacking

Attach your reading habit to an existing, well-established habit. As I explain in the video, this technique is also known as “habit stacking.”

3. Be Flexible with Reading Formats

Audiobooks are your best friend when life gets busy. Whether you’re driving, folding laundry, or squeezing in a quick workout, audiobooks let you enjoy books anywhere.

Services like Audible, Libby, or Scribd make it easy to access thousands of titles, and many of your favorite books come in beautifully narrated formats. Whether it’s a gripping memoir, an insightful business book, or a heartwarming novel, there’s something for everyone.

Pro Tip: Want to enjoy multiple podcast episodes conveniently on your device? Subscribe so you never miss an update!

4. Connect with Others

Don’t underestimate the power of connecting with others in book clubs or via social media.

Book Recommendations to Get Started

Whether you prefer a hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook, here are four books I highly recommend:

1. The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz: A powerful exploration of what truly makes us happy.
2. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: A magical, heartwarming story that will leave you smiling.
3. The Lion Women of Tehran by
   Marjan Kamali: A fascinating memoir about resilience and courage.
4. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: A beautifully written tale of connection and healing.

These books are perfect for curling up with during the holiday season—or listening to on your next drive.

Check out my Book List on Amazon

Start Your 15-Minute Habit Today

See the Difference in No Time!

This simple habit isn’t just about reading more—it’s about taking time for yourself, discovering new ideas, and showing up for your business and life with fresh energy.

Imagine ending next year with 20 new books under your belt and a deeper sense of inspiration. That’s the power of the 15-Minute Habit.

Start today. Grab a book, download an audiobook, set a timer, and see where those pages take you. Don’t forget to check out the 15-Minute Reading Calculator and connect with me to share your favorite from my list!

About the Author

Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a Business and Wellness Coach, Professor, and author. She created Petite Practice™ to help professionals achieve success through small, intentional actions. As the host of the globally ranked Top 1% podcast Happy Healthy Hustle, she empowers entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses without stress or burnout.

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