16 books like Fast Like a Girl

By Mindy Pelz,

Here are 16 books that Fast Like a Girl fans have personally recommended if you like Fast Like a Girl. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Lifespan: Why We Age--And Why We Don't Have to

William W. Li Author Of Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself

From my list on to help you eat to beat disease.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a physician, scientist, and food as medicine researcher who has spent three decades studying how the body defends itself against disease to protect health. A major focus of this has been on how your body responds to what you feed it. I'm an internationally renowned physician, scientist and author of the New York Times bestseller Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself. My work has led to the development of more than 30 new medical treatments and impacts care for more than 70 diseases. My TED Talk, “Can We Eat to Starve Cancer?” has garnered more than 11 million views. 

William's book list on to help you eat to beat disease

William W. Li Why did William love this book?

I’m fascinated by the idea of longevity and if, like me, you want to learn what science is showing us it takes to live longer and better, you have to read this book by a scientist who is doing the research and making the discoveries that will lengthen lifespan.

By David Sinclair,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lifespan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this paradigm-shifting book from acclaimed Harvard Medical School doctor and one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people on earth, Dr. David Sinclair reveals that everything we think we know about ageing is wrong, and shares the surprising, scientifically-proven methods that can help readers live younger, longer.

For decades, the medical community has looked to a variety of reasons for why we age, and the consensus is that no one dies of old age; they die of age-related diseases. That's because ageing is not a disease - it is inevitable.
But what if everything you think you know about…


Book cover of The Jesus Fast: The Call to Awaken the Nations

Polly Betzner Walshin Author Of You Got Daddy Issues?

From my list on books that restore your soul and let you know you are not alone.

Why am I passionate about this?

The reason why I recommended these books is they all have the constant theme of freedom. Each one is very unique, and they all have adventure, romance, tragedy, and fantasy. Every single book is a different journey of healing for your soul that I feel anyone would enjoy. We have two biographies that are so raw; they will rock your soul, and you can relate to them. We have one on how not to get offended, which is amazing, and another that is sci-fi, which is way better than Harry Potter ever thought about being. If you like me as an author, you will love the books that I have recommended. 

Polly's book list on books that restore your soul and let you know you are not alone

Polly Betzner Walshin Why did Polly love this book?

First of all, Lou Engel is an amazing man in his 60s, and he literally probably spent half of his life fasting and intercession in prayer for the nations and for the world.

This book shows you the power of fasting and the miracle answers that happened so many times in history, where there’s been a movement of God where fasting was prevalent.

By Lou Engle, Dean Briggs,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Jesus Fast as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Passionate, Prophetic Summons to Prayer and Fasting

We are poised at a key moment in history. Amidst pain and chaos, we can turn the tide of evil in our lands. With excitement and profound insight, seasoned prophetic leader Lou Engle shows how: through bold faith and aggressive, passionate prayer and fasting.

Here he equips you with the dynamic, practical tools you need to answer the call of countercultural consecration. Using Jesus as the role model, he reveals that 40 days of prayer and fasting always precede breakthrough, revelations of God's glory, breakage of demonic hindrances, and more. As we…


Book cover of Quarantine

Jonathan Trigell Author Of The Tongues of Men or Angels

From my list on fiction with Jesus as a character.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m the author of five extremely different novels: Boy A (which was made into an award-winning film), Cham, Genus, The Tongues of Men or Angels, and Under Country. They share almost nothing in subject or setting. Ranging from first-century Judaea to a future London. From ski resort workers in France to young offender prisons in Britain. My latest work - Under Country - is about the 1984 Miners’ Strike and its still lingering scars in the North East pit villages. Yet, I suppose, if there were a unifying theme between them, it would be that each, in its own way, is influenced by and fascinated with Christianity.

Jonathan's book list on fiction with Jesus as a character

Jonathan Trigell Why did Jonathan love this book?

Written long before quarantines became so fashionable, Jesus in Jim Crace’s novel is an almost peripheral player, because set during Christ’s forty days in the wilderness six other people share in the inhospitable desert caves, miracles, and hallucinations. Each character has their own troubles and trials; their own battles with demons to resolve; which they hope isolation and fasting will accomplish. And for each, in ingenious ways, it does… I am a big fan of Crace’s style, rhythm, and invention, and this is one of his finest works.

By Jim Crace,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Quarantine as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With an introduction by Stuart Evers

So this is happiness, she thought. Or this, at least, is what adds up to happiness. The prospect of never running after men and camels any more, of being Miri without shame or hesitation, of letting drop her headscarf for a change so that nothing intervened between her and the sky.

Five travellers venture into the Judean wilderness in search of redemption. Instead, amidst the barren rocks, they are met by a dangerous man, Musa, and fall under his dark influence. As the unforgiving days and bitter nights erode their resolve, it becomes clear…


Book cover of The Daniel Fast Cookbook: Meal Plans and Recipes to Bring You Closer to God

Wendy Speake Author Of The 40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation

From my list on overcoming food addiction with faith.

Why am I passionate about this?

Before becoming an author, my career was as an actress in Hollywood. I stepped off of the stage and onto the page in 2016 and have never looked back. Telling stories about real life has allowed me to not only entertain but also encourage my literary audience. After writing parenting books I transitioned into devotionals and Bible studies for Christian women.

Wendy's book list on overcoming food addiction with faith

Wendy Speake Why did Wendy love this book?

Nourish your body and your faith with recipes and devotions for the Daniel Fast. In the court of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was pressured to worship false gods and eat forbidden foods―but he stayed true to God, eating no meat, wine, or choice foods for weeks. Follow in Daniel’s footsteps and draw nearer to God with The Daniel Fast Cookbook. This meal plan and recipe book guides you through a partial fast, consuming only what the Lord has naturally provided―and experiencing Him like never before.

Two Daniel Fast meal plans come with dozens of plant-based, gluten-free recipes for tasty, fast-friendly food. Daily devotions help you lean on prayer and scripture when fasting becomes challenging. With The Daniel Fast Cookbook, you can focus less on figuring out the rules of the Daniel Fast―and more on growing in faith.

By Cindy Anschutz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Daniel Fast Cookbook as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Nourish your body and your faith with recipes and devotions for the Daniel Fast

In the court of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was pressured to worship false gods and eat forbidden foods―but he stayed true to God, eating no meat, wine, or choice foods for weeks. Follow in Daniel’s footsteps and draw nearer to God with The Daniel Fast Cookbook. This meal plan and recipe book guides you through a partial fast, consuming only what the Lord has naturally provided―and experiencing Him like never before.

Two Daniel Fast meal plans come with dozens of plant-based, gluten-free recipes for tasty, fast-friendly food.…


Book cover of The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life

Wendy Speake Author Of The 40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation

From my list on overcoming food addiction with faith.

Why am I passionate about this?

Before becoming an author, my career was as an actress in Hollywood. I stepped off of the stage and onto the page in 2016 and have never looked back. Telling stories about real life has allowed me to not only entertain but also encourage my literary audience. After writing parenting books I transitioned into devotionals and Bible studies for Christian women.

Wendy's book list on overcoming food addiction with faith

Wendy Speake Why did Wendy love this book?

The Daniel Plan is far more than a diet plan. It is an appetizing approach to achieving a healthy lifestyle by optimizing the five key essentials of faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends. Unlike the thousands of other books on the market, this book is not about a new diet, guilt-driven gym sessions, or shame-driven fasts. Your path to holistic health begins here, as Pastor Rick Warren and fitness and medical experts Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Mark Hyman guide you to incorporate healthy choices into your current lifestyle.

The concepts in this book will encourage you to deepen your relationship with God and develop a community of supportive friends who will encourage you to make smart food and fitness choices each and every day.

By Rick Warren, Daniel G. Amen, Mark Hyman

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Daniel Plan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The Daniel Plan is far more than a diet plan. It is an appetizing approach to achieving a healthy lifestyle by optimizing the five key essentials of faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends.

Unlike the thousands of other books on the market, this book is not about a new diet, guilt-driven gym sessions, or shame-driven fasts. Your path to holistic health begins here, as Pastor Rick Warren and fitness and medical experts Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Mark Hyman guide you to incorporate healthy choices into your current lifestyle.

The concepts in this book will encourage…


Book cover of With Christ in the School of Prayer

Jodie Berndt Author Of Praying the Scriptures for Your Life: 31 Days of Abiding in the Presence, Provision, and Power of God

From my list on prayer and why it is so powerful.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m often introduced as a “prayer expert” but I’m not. I’m just someone who’s found herself praying a lot—for my family, my friends, and even sometimes complete strangers. And while there are all sorts of ways we can pray, I like praying the Scriptures—taking the actual words of the Bible and using them to shape our perspective as well as our prayers. Not only has that approach made my conversations with God more diverse and creative, but it has made them more powerful. Plus, praying this way has equipped me to trust God and experience freedom from worry or fear—even when things don’t happen the way, or in the timing, that I want them to.

Jodie's book list on prayer and why it is so powerful

Jodie Berndt Why did Jodie love this book?

If you’re looking for a well-loved prayer “classic,” you won’t find many books with more staying power than Andrew Murray’s With Christ in the School of Prayer. Murray doesn’t see prayer as one facet of the Christian life; rather, he says that it is the “root and strength” of all that we do. “Jesus never taught his disciples how to preach,” Murray writes, “only how to pray.” And the secret to a powerful prayer life is abiding in Christ—growing into his likeness—so that our lives (including our thoughts and desires) look more like his. As we enroll in Jesus’ “school of prayer", we will learn to pray in harmony with God, be equipped to impact our world, and discover the true purpose of prayer.

By Andrew Murray,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked With Christ in the School of Prayer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Originally titled: 'With Christ In the School of Prayer: Thoughts on Our Training for the Ministry of Intercession,' to Include: Lord, Teach Us to Pray - In Spirit & Truth - Pray To Thy Father, Which Is In Secret - After This Manner Pray - Ask, & It Shall be Given You - How Much More? - How Much More the Holy Spirit - Because of His Importunity - Pray the Lord of the Harvest - What Wilt Thou? - Believe That Ye Have Received - Have Faith in God - Prayer & Fasting - When Ye Stand Praying, Forgive…


Book cover of Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words

Brandon Wilson Author Of Along the Templar Trail: Seven Million Steps for Peace

From my list on doing a pilgrimage and our search for meaning.

Why am I passionate about this?

Brandon Wilson is an author, photographer, explorer, and pilgrim. He is a voracious explorer of nearly one hundred countries, he has trekked many pilgrimage trails, including: the Camino de Santiago, Camino Catalan, Camino Aragonés and Via de la Plata across Spain, and twice the St. Olav’s Way across Norway and Sweden. Brandon and his wife Cheryl were the first Western couple to complete the 1100-kilometer pilgrim trail from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu, and he was the first American to traverse the 1850-kilometer Via Francigena from England to Rome. In 2006, he and his French friend re-blazed the 4500-kilometer route of the First Crusades from France to Jerusalem, naming it the Templar Trail, to establish it as a path of peace.

Brandon's book list on doing a pilgrimage and our search for meaning

Brandon Wilson Why did Brandon love this book?

Peace Pilgrim was a true modern pioneer. For nearly thirty years, starting in 1953, she devoted her life to international peace, as she crisscrossed America on foot with her few belongings on her back, "Walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.” At a time when American school kids were hiding under their desks in fear of a nuclear attack, Peace Pilgrim bravely “walked the talk” about unabashedly spoke about the necessity of peace, a message which inspired generations.

By Peace Pilgrim,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Peace Pilgrim as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Peace Pilgrim walked and spoke continuously across America from 1953 until her death in 1981. "Walking until given shelter and fasting until given food," she carried a simple yet powerfully enduring message of peace. A few of her friends later gathered her writings and talks into this first-person account of her experiences and beliefs. Peace Pilgrim has become a spiritual classic, with over half a million copies in print in nine languages. Includes news clippings, questions and answers, photographs, index.


Book cover of The Fertility Bible for Couples: Nourishing and Easy Recipes to Improve the Egg Quality, Balance Hormones, Enhance Maternal Wellness, and Achieve a Healthy Pregnancy

Joseph S. Sanfilippo Author Of The Expert Guide to Fertility: Boost Your Chances for Pregnancy

From my list on how to increase your chances for pregnancy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have spent my medical career focused on infertility and helping couples achieve their dream of pregnancy. Over the span of my career, I have had the opportunity to teach and provide research in the field of infertility, offer medical treatment to address the dream of pregnancy and parenthood, and, most importantly, be there for each and every one of my patients in good and bad times through the stages of their fertility journeys. The joy of achieving pregnancy after navigating infertility makes our entire team celebrate this sometimes monumental goal. This is why I am most passionate and enthusiastic to provide a book designed for those going through the challenging, daunting infertility process.

Joseph's book list on how to increase your chances for pregnancy

Joseph S. Sanfilippo Why did Joseph love this book?

The author provides “nourishing and easy recipes to improve egg quality.” Overall, the focus is on achieving pregnancy and empowering couples with knowledge and practical approaches to fertility.

Nutrition is placed in high and proper esteem complemented by balanced hormones that enhance maternal wellness. Creating “a good environment” in a woman’s body sets the stage for achieving conception. Basic information regarding the female reproductive tract and associated menstrual cycle is conveyed, and male infertility is addressed.

The vast majority of the book provides recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks, that might benefit individuals struggling with infertility.

By Olivia Thompson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Fertility Bible for Couples as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Couples Around the World Are Talking About This Revolutionary Approach to Combining Food and Fertility!

Why does it seem that some of us simply cannot get pregnant, no matter how many fancy apps we use?

Are you losing sleep because it seems like nature will never let you become a moth-er?

I’ve faced the same battle as you. I’ve also won the battle with a unique look at balanced nutrition!

People will tell you ‘fate’ will intervene when the time is right, and yet nothing ever seems to change.

Others will try to convince you that the answer is medication,…


Book cover of Once a Month: Understanding and Treating PMS

Shalene Gupta Author Of The Cycle: Confronting the Pain of Periods and PMDD

From my list on books for if your periods are a painful bloody hell.

Why am I passionate about this?

For years, I suffered from extremely painful periods and terrible mood swings before my period. I chalked this up to being a bad person. When I was in my thirties, I found out I had PMDD: premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Researchers have known about PMDD for years, yet it still takes over a decade to get a diagnosis. I got mad, and I got curious. What was going on? I went hunting for books to explain what we know about periods and why we don’t talk about them. The books on this list answered many of my questions—I hope they answer yours.

Shalene's book list on books for if your periods are a painful bloody hell

Shalene Gupta Why did Shalene love this book?

Dr. Dalton is the OG researcher who invented the phrase PMS and conducted the first studies on PMDD. Once a Month lays out her body of research in layperson terms. A bestseller when it was first published, much of it is still relevant and fresh today.

I particularly enjoyed her chapter on how the menstrual cycle impacted student behavior from grades to tidiness—not everyone had the same patterns, but most people saw their behavior change in some way over the course of their cycle. If only someone had told me that years ago! 

By Katharina Dalton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Once a Month as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Surveys show that 75 percent of women experience some aspect of PMS. This new edition of Once a Month discusses the most common symptoms, offers self-help strategies, and includes new information on the effects of PMS on osteoporosis.


Book cover of Once in a Full Moon

Anita Sanchez Author Of Wait Till It Gets Dark: A Kid's Guide to Exploring the Night

From my list on for exploring nature at night with kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a writer, I’m especially fascinated by plants and animals that no one loves. My books are intended to get kids excited about science and help them appreciate the wonders of the natural world. Many years of fieldwork, leading children on nature walks, have given me firsthand experience in introducing students to the terrors and joys of nature. I especially enjoy the beauties of the night, from fireflies to coyote howls to star-gazing!

Anita's book list on for exploring nature at night with kids

Anita Sanchez Why did Anita love this book?

I love to get kids excited about the night time and all the adventures that can be had when exploring the outdoors at night. Watching the moon is something kids can do even in a city filled with bright lights. This book focuses on the moon as the seasons go by, with the unique names for each full moon—Strawberry Moon, Cold Moon, Harvest Moon. Moon-gazing is the first step in getting kids to feel comfortable outdoors after the sun goes down.

By Carol Goodman, Mariia Luzina (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Once in a Full Moon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Once a month a full moon rises in the night sky. But every time, this big bright circle has a different name! Once in a Full Moon tells the stories behind this monthly visitor.


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Jesus, health, and prayer?

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