The Magic of 20 Pages: How a Tiny Habit Transformed My Reading Life
My reading list grows faster than I can tackle it. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Books have the power to change lives. That might sound a little dramatic, but if you’re a reader, you know exactly what I mean. There’s something magical about diving into a story, a well-researched argument, or someone else’s lived experience. It’s like time-traveling, walking in another person’s shoes, and attending the world’s most interesting seminar—all rolled into one.
I’ve loved reading since I was a kid, and fortunately, that love has followed me into adulthood. There’s no feeling quite like closing the cover of a book after reading the final page, sitting back, and reflecting on the journey you’ve just completed. Books entertain, inform, and sometimes transform us, shaping how we see the world and our place in it.
But here’s the catch: life gets busy. You know the drill—endless to-do lists, work deadlines, the tug of social media. Somewhere in the chaos, that carefully curated pile of books on your nightstand starts gathering dust. For years, I told myself I’d get to them someday. But “someday” never came. Eventually, I began to wonder if I was just hoarding books for decoration.
That’s when I did something uncharacteristic: I turned to math. (I know, not the usual refuge for a book lover, but stay with me.) I asked myself: What would happen if I committed to reading just a little every day? Not a whole book, not a chapter, just 20 pages. Bite-sized reading.
Twenty pages doesn’t sound like much. It’s about the time it takes to drink your morning coffee. But here’s where the numbers get interesting:
20 pages a day × 7 days a week = 140 pages a week.
140 pages a week = roughly one book (depending on length) every two weeks.
Over the course of a year, that’s 7,300 pages.
If you’re into non-fiction like I am, most books are around 200 pages. That means 20 pages a day can get you through 36 books a year. Thirty-six! All without marathon reading sessions or waiting for that mythical “free weekend.”
The Surprising Power of Small Habits
This simple habit changed everything for me. When life feels chaotic, 20 pages still feels doable. It’s a low-pressure goal that delivers massive results over time.
It’s not just about the books I’ve finished—it’s also about how those 20 pages help me start the day on the right foot. There’s something grounding about beginning the morning with a good book. It’s like a gentle reminder to prioritize learning, reflection, and curiosity before the daily hustle takes over.
And let’s be honest: it’s also a welcome break from doomscrolling or diving straight into emails.
That Pile of Books
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or, in this case, the teetering stack of books on my nightstand. You’d think that reading 36 books a year would finally shrink that pile, right? Wrong. Like a garden weed, the pile grows back as quickly as I pull a book from it.
Publishers keep releasing fascinating books and friends keep recommending must-reads. The result? My reading list grows faster than I can tackle it. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. That ever-growing pile isn’t a burden; it’s a testament to a love affair with learning.
Lessons Learned
Here’s what I’ve learned after a few years of sticking to my 20-page rule:
Consistency Beats Intensity: You don’t need hours of free time to be a reader. Twenty minutes a day is enough to make serious progress.
Books Are the Ultimate Investment: For the price of a paperback, you can gain insights, ideas, and perspectives that might change your life. And with 36 books a year, the ROI is unbeatable.
Small Wins Add Up: It’s easy to underestimate the power of small habits. But those 20 daily pages add up to thousands over time, proving that slow and steady really does win the race.
You’ll Never Finish the List—and That’s Okay: The pile of unread books might never disappear, but that’s part of the fun. It means there’s always something new to explore, something waiting to surprise and delight you.
Why Not Start Today?
If you’ve been telling yourself you don’t have time to read, I challenge you to give the 20-page rule a try. Set your alarm 20 minutes earlier, pair it with your morning coffee, or make it the last thing you do before bed. You don’t need a fancy plan or elaborate system—just pick up a book and start.
Because here’s the thing: reading isn’t just about finishing books. It’s about the process. It’s about carving out a little time each day for yourself, for your growth, and for the joy of discovery. And who knows? That tiny habit might just change your life.
So grab a book, turn to page one, and see where those 20 pages take you.