The canonical hours ideally correspond to about the following hours of the clock:
In practice, clergy say the hours whenever they can make time for it, even if that means saying the entire course of hours right before bed. In the 1961 Office, Matins may be anticipated at any time after 2 PM of the preceding day for a good reason.
If you want to pray a highly simplified version of the Office which it will be more practical to carry with you and say during the day, get <em>My Daily Psalm Book</em>, which contains only the psalms and canticles, in English and arranged according to the weekly cycle of the Roman Breviary. In the back, you will find Psalm 94, and the canticles Magnificat, Benedictus, and Nunc dimittis. Every day, say Psalm 94 at the beginning of Matins. Say the Benedictus after the psalms of Lauds. Say the Magnificat after the psalms of Vespers. Say the Nunc dimittis after the psalms of Compline.
Begin every hour by saying, "O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost (or Spirit), as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen," and then "Alleluia," unless it is Lent, in which case "Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory."
Add a Glory Be at the end of each psalm.
Conclude every hour by saying, "Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto thee. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God."
As a catholic, I recommend My Daily Psalm Book. Unliek normal psalter, it is arranged according to the order of Divine Office 1962, and use Greek numbering. It also have some recommendation for which Psalm to read up on depend on the situation.