How I Finally Tackled My “To Be Read” Pile in 15 Minutes a Day (Without Losing My Mind)

If you’re like most entrepreneurs and professionals, your list of books to read is probably a mile long. But how much of that learning actually sticks and translates into real results? That’s the problem Headway aims to solve.

In this Headway app review, I’m giving you an honest look at whether it’s worth your time and money. I’ve been using the app for about six months, and I will continue to do so, but it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. There are definitely some drawbacks to consider, so I’ll share the pros AND the cons.

Let me start by telling you a quick story. A couple of weeks, I was waiting at the pharmacy to get a vaccination shot. I knew that I would have to wait, so I went prepared to get a little work done.

I was planning to do a review of the book Profit First for the podcast. I’ve read the entire book maybe 3 times, but I wanted to do a quick refresher.

So, I checked to see if it was available on Headway, and it is. That allowed me to review the content and quickly make notes of things I wanted to include in the podcast episode.

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Prefer to listen? Tune in to episode 26 of the podcast – Is the Headway App Worth It? My Honest Review After 6 Months

What Is the Headway App?

Headway is a book summary app. Think of it as an app version of Cliffs Notes. It takes nonfiction books and breaks them down into 15-minute summaries. But here’s what makes it cool – it’s not just throwing random facts at you. The app is designed to help you actually retain and use what you learn.

And it caters to different learning styles. You’ve got text summaries if you’re a reader, and audio if you prefer to listen. Plus, there are interactive elements – that help cement the knowledge in your brain and make it fun.

Let’s Talk About the Pros

Let me break down   what I like about Headway:

1. Bite-sized Learning That Actually Fits Your Life

You can grab these 15-minute summaries whenever you have a small pocket of time. I like to read them when I’m waiting like at the pharmacy the other day or in line at the grocery store instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media.

2. The Content Library Is Most Useful for Business Owners

The app isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. The extensive library focuses on business growth, personal development, and productivity. They’re constantly adding new titles too, which keeps the content fresh and relevant.

3. It Learns About You

When you first sign up, you’ll identify some interests and goals. And then the app will offer recommendations of books specifically for you. Plus, as you finish books, it will suggest other related books. So, it’s kind of like having a personal development coach in your pocket.

4. Super Easy To Use

Headway’s interface is clean, simple, and gets out of your way so you can focus on learning. The progress tracking is particularly motivating – you can see exactly how much you’re learning over time.

5. Try Before You Buy (the Books, That Is)

This is probably my favorite thing about it. – you can use the summaries to decide if you want to invest time and money in the whole book. Most of my reading time is devoted to fiction, so I don’t want to waste time on a nonfiction book that isn’t worthwhile. The Headway app lets me get the gist and if I like what I read, then I can look for the book on Libby or buy a copy for my Kindle.

6. Gamification

I love things that are gamified. The app has badges, daily missions, and achievement scores that help make learning feel like a game. It even has a streak tracker that you can watch grow as you maintain your daily learning habit.

7. Spaced Repetition for Better Retention

And finally, one of my favorite features is the way Headway uses spaced repetition to help cement what you’ve learned. The app will periodically resurface key concepts through flashcards, reinforcing them in your memory over time. It’s like having a built-in study system to make sure you actually remember the important stuff.

The Not-So-Sweet Spots (aka the Cons)

Alright, we talked about the pros. What about the cons?

1. The Price Tag

At the time I’m recording this, Headway runs  $12.99 a month, but you can get a break if you lock in a longer subscription plan like quarterly or annually.

Full disclosure: I actually snagged a lifetime deal through AppSumo during one of their special promotions, which was honestly an absolute steal. If you’re interested in the app, I’d recommend keeping an eye out for similar deals – I have no idea if they’ll ever do one again – but even at full price, you’ve got to weigh it against the value of your time and the cost of buying all these books individually.

2. Depth vs. Breadth

Here’s the truth – sometimes you need the whole book experience. While Headway is great for concepts, you will miss some of the deeper insights. It’s like getting the highlight reel instead of watching the whole game. I’ve found this particularly true with more complex books like Profit First where the details really matter.

3. Decision Fatigue Is a Real Issue

With so many books available, you might find yourself stuck in research mode. Don’t let the options paralyze you – just pick a topic and start learning! You can save books for later so that you don’t forget about them. In fact, every time someone recommends a nonfiction book to me, I check to see if it’s available in Headway and if it is, I save it.

4. The iPad Situation

If you’re like me and you use your iPad with a keyboard, heads up – there’s no landscape mode. I find this super annoying, and I hope they’ll address it. I would use the app more at home if they did. Now I mostly just use it on my phone when I’m out and about.

5. The Audio Quality Varies

The narration can be robotic – I feel certain it’s done with AI – and while clear, it can sometimes feel a bit monotonous. This is not a dealbreaker for me, because I don’t want to listen to the audio anyway. But if you do, and you’re used to audiobooks with professional narrators, it’s something to consider.

So, Is Headway Right for You?

Let’s drill down to what really matters. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you someone who:

•  Wants to learn but struggles to find time for full books?
•  Do you prefer getting to the point without the fluff?
•  Are you focused on personal and professional growth?
•  Do you like to preview books before committing to them?

2. Can you commit to:

•  Setting aside 15 minutes daily for learning?
•  Actually implementing what you learn?
•  Can you swing the subscription cost?

3. Do you value these things:

•    Flexibility in how you consume content?
•    Having key ideas readily available for review?
•    Building a continuous learning habit?
•    Getting the most important takeaways quickly?

Here’s my take – if you’re serious about personal growth but stuck in that mindset of “no time to read,” the Headway app could be the answer.

Like I said, I’ve found it particularly useful for business books. I also have several personal development books related to energy management that are currently on my to-read list. I’m going to try them out in Headway first   Before deciding whether or not to get the full book for a deeper dive. That’s the sweet spot of using Headway – it helps you be strategic about your learning time and investment.

Headway App Review: The Bottom Line

Headway isn’t trying to replace full-length books – it’s making learning more accessible for busy people like us. If you’re cool with trading some depth for convenience and you’re committed to actually using what you learn, then yeah, I’d say go for it.

Remember, though – no app is going to do the work for you. You’ve got to show up, engage with the content, and most importantly, take action on what you learn. That’s where the real magic happens.

If you’re ready to give it a shot, then try it out and see if it fits your learning style.

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