Contents
Hey there, book lovers. If you are reading this, chances are you have already devoured Rachel Hollis’s mega bestseller, Girl, Wash Your Face. You know the feeling that comes after turning that final page. It is a mix of adrenaline, inspiration, and a sudden, burning desire to reorganize your entire pantry while simultaneously launching a small business. Hollis had a way of cutting through the noise with a best friend energy that felt like a firm hand on your shoulder and a glass of wine in your hand. But now that you have finished it, you are likely staring at your bookshelf and wondering, “What is next?”
The world of self-improvement and personal memoir has exploded since Hollis first commanded us to stop believing the lies. As we move into 2026, the genre has evolved. We are seeing a shift away from pure hustle culture toward sustainable growth, deep emotional intelligence, and faith that feels authentic rather than performative. We want books that do not just tell us to wake up early but tell us why we are sleeping in to avoid our lives.
The following list is curated specifically for the modern reader in 2026. These titles share the DNA of Girl, Wash Your Face (empowerment, grit, vulnerability) but offer fresh perspectives for where you are today. Whether you need a spiritual anchor, a kick in the pants, or a hug for your weary soul, we have you covered.
Here are the best books similar to Girl, Wash Your Face to add to your 2026 reading pile.
The High-Energy Motivators
These books match the “go get ’em” energy that made Rachel Hollis famous. If you need a coach in book form, start here.
1. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
If Rachel Hollis is the supportive best friend who cheers you on from the sidelines, Jen Sincero is the cool aunt who drives a motorcycle and tells it exactly like it is. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life remains the gold standard for women who want to change their lives but are allergic to woo-woo nonsense. Sincero writes with a biting wit and a refreshing lack of filter that grabs you by the lapels immediately.
The core message here is about shifting your frequency. Sincero combines hilarious personal anecdotes with serious mindset work. She argues that your subconscious beliefs are running the show, and until you identify the “Big Snooze” (her term for the ego holding you back), you will stay stuck in mediocrity. For readers in 2026, this book feels timeless because it addresses the root cause of why we self-sabotage: fear.
What makes it similar to Girl, Wash Your Face is the tough love approach. Sincero does not accept your excuses. She demands that you love yourself enough to stop tolerating a life you do not obsess over. It is perfect for anyone who felt energized by Hollis’s chapters on ambition but wanted something a little edgier and less rooted in traditional domestic life.
2. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins provides a tool so simple it almost sounds ridiculous, yet it is backed by genuine neuroscience. The 5 Second Rule is not just a book to read; it is a manual to use. The premise is straightforward: the moment you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must count 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will kill it. This concept resonates deeply with the Girl, Wash Your Face crowd because it addresses the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
Robbins shares her own rock bottom story, which includes anxiety, financial crisis, and marital strain. This vulnerability mirrors the way Hollis opens up about her own struggles, creating a safe space for the reader to admit their own faults. However, Robbins pivots quickly to science. She explains metacognition and how we can hack our brains to overcome the hesitation that destroys our dreams.
In the context of 2026, where digital distractions are at an all-time high, this book is essential. It helps you break the habit of doom-scrolling and staring at screens. If you loved the practical advice in Hollis’s work, Robbins takes that practicality to the extreme. This is about building the muscle of courage in five-second increments.
3. Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Marie Forleo is often called the thought leader for the next generation, and this book proves why. Everything is Figureoutable is based on a phrase her mother used to say, and it has become a mantra for millions. Like Hollis, Forleo is an entrepreneur who speaks directly to women with big dreams. However, Forleo brings a unique blend of hip-hop swagger and spiritual wisdom that sets this book apart.
The book attacks the limiting belief that you are not smart enough, rich enough, or talented enough to achieve your goals. Forleo systematically dismantles the excuses we use to stay small. She teaches you how to differentiate between fear and intuition, which is a critical skill for any woman navigating a career or a side hustle.
Readers who enjoyed Hollis’s focus on tenacity will find a kindred spirit here. Forleo insists that “I don’t know how” is not a valid excuse because you can learn anything. It is an empowering read that feels especially relevant in the gig economy of 2026. Whether you are trying to fix a leaky faucet or launch a global empire, this book convinces you that the solution is already within your reach if you are willing to look for it.
4. Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
It might seem obvious, but if you loved Girl, Wash Your Face, the most logical next step is its direct sequel. Girl, Stop Apologizing is arguably the stronger, more tactical sister to Hollis’s first major hit. While Wash Your Face was about identifying the lies, Stop Apologizing is about owning the truth. It is a shame-free plan for embracing and achieving your goals.
In this book, Hollis doubles down on the idea that women (especially mothers) are socialized to make themselves small to make others comfortable. She identifies the specific excuses women use to give up on their dreams, such as “I’m not a goal-oriented person” or “I don’t have time.” She then offers concrete behaviors to adopt, like waking up earlier and planning your week with intention.
For the 2026 reader, this book serves as a reminder that your ambition is not a dirty word. It is perfect for the woman who felt the spark of motivation in the first book but needs a blueprint for how to actually execute the plan. It strips away the fluff and gives you permission to want what you want without feeling the need to explain yourself to anyone.
The Soul Deepeners
Sometimes you do not need to wash your face; you need to cleanse your soul. These books dig deeper into vulnerability, shame, and emotional health.
5. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
You cannot talk about vulnerability without bowing down to the queen of the topic, Dr. Brené Brown. While Rachel Hollis references vulnerability often, Brené Brown provides the research and the academic framework behind it. Daring Greatly is a transformative read that challenges the idea that vulnerability is a weakness. Instead, Brown argues that it is our most accurate measure of courage.
Brown’s writing is warm, academic, and deeply personal all at once. She explores how shame keeps us from connecting with others and achieving our potential. For fans of Hollis who appreciated the chapters on body image or mom guilt, Brown offers a much deeper dive into why we feel those things. She introduces the concept of “Wholehearted Living,” which is about engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.
In 2026, as social media continues to curate perfect facades, Daring Greatly is a necessary antidote. It teaches you how to stand in the arena of your life and let yourself be seen, flaws and all. It is less about “hustling” for your worth and more about believing you are worthy right now. This is the book you read when you are ready to stop performing and start living.
6. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
If Girl, Wash Your Face is about fixing your life, Untamed is about burning the old life down to build something true. Glennon Doyle’s memoir became a cultural phenomenon for a reason. It chronicles her journey from a restricted, pleasing existence to a life of wild freedom. Doyle’s writing style is electric, consisting of short, punchy chapters that feel like sermons from a modern mystic.
The central metaphor of the cheetah born in captivity resonates with women who feel they have been tamed by society’s expectations. Doyle encourages women to stop asking friends for advice and start listening to their own “Knowing.” This is a departure from the advice-heavy style of Hollis, but it appeals to the same audience because it addresses the same core dissatisfaction.
Untamed is particularly relevant for the 2026 landscape where women are redefining marriage, motherhood, and career on their own terms. It challenges the “martyr mom” archetype that Hollis also fights against, but Doyle takes it a step further by questioning the very structures we live in. It is bold, beautiful, and absolutely essential for anyone feeling trapped in a cage of their own making.
7. The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
Brianna Wiest has taken the self-help world by storm with this insightful book about self-sabotage. The Mountain Is You is a bit quieter and more introspective than Hollis’s high-energy anecdotes, but it hits just as hard. Wiest argues that self-sabotage is not just an accident; it is a coping mechanism meeting an unmet need.
This book is incredibly data-relevant for 2026 because it addresses the mental health crisis and the “stuck” feeling many people have post-pandemic. Wiest guides the reader through the process of stepping out of their own way. She explains that the mountain in front of you has always been you. By understanding your triggers and your subconscious fears, you can finally scale that mountain.
For fans of Girl, Wash Your Face, this book offers the psychological “how” behind the behavioral “what.” If Hollis told you to stop breaking promises to yourself, Wiest explains why you keep breaking them and how to heal the part of you that is afraid of success. It is a beautiful bridge between therapy and coaching.
8. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
This book is a delightful hybrid of memoir and psychology. Lori Gottlieb is a therapist who lands in therapy herself after a devastating breakup. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone invites us into the consulting room, showing us the lives of her patients while revealing her own messy journey. It is funny, tender, and shockingly relatable.
While Hollis focuses on the individual’s power to change, Gottlieb focuses on the power of connection and understanding our patterns. The book demystifies the therapeutic process and shows that even the “experts” do not have it all figured out. This level of transparency appeals strongly to the reader who values authenticity.
In 2026, the stigma around mental health continues to fade, and this book celebrates that shift. It teaches us that our struggles are universal. If you liked the storytelling aspect of Hollis’s books, you will adore Gottlieb’s narrative style. It reads like a novel but packs the punch of a self-help classic. It reminds us that we grow in connection with others, not just in isolation.
The Faith-Based Connectors
Rachel Hollis often wove her Christian faith into her advice. These books offer that same spiritual grounding with a focus on modern life.
9. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa TerKeurst is a giant in the Christian women’s space. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way was written in the thick of her own personal tragedies, including health scares and marital betrayal. Unlike the “fix it” mentality of some self-help, this book sits in the uncomfortable reality that sometimes, life just goes wrong.
TerKeurst offers a lifeline to women who are disappointed by how their lives have turned out. She uses scripture and personal vulnerability to wrestle with the question of why God allows suffering. It is not a book about toxic positivity; it is a book about fighting for your faith in the middle of the valley.
For readers of Girl, Wash Your Face who found comfort in the faith chapters, this book is the next level of spiritual maturity. It acknowledges that washing your face is not always enough when your heart is broken. TerKeurst’s honest grappling with disappointment makes this a timeless resource, and it remains a top recommendation in 2026 for anyone navigating unexpected hardship.
10. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
Jennie Allen addresses a struggle that every modern woman knows intimately: the spiral of toxic thoughts. Get Out of Your Head is a guide to stopping the mental spin cycle. Allen argues that the greatest spiritual battle of our generation is taking place between our ears. She combines biblical truth with practical tools to interrupt negative thinking patterns.
The book is structured around the idea that we have a choice in what we think about. Allen challenges the reader to capture their thoughts and submit them to truth. This aligns perfectly with the “stop believing the lies” theme of Hollis’s work but approaches it from a strictly theological perspective.
As we navigate the information overload of 2026, this message is more critical than ever. Anxiety is rampant, and Allen offers a way out that feels accessible and hopeful. It is a fantastic companion read to Hollis because it provides the spiritual tactics to win the mental war that often precedes the physical action of changing your life.
11. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
Shauna Niequist wrote Present Over Perfect as a love letter to a simpler life. Before writing it, she was the quintessential “busy” woman—overscheduled, exhausted, and running on fumes. This book is her journey of leaving behind the pressure to be perfect in exchange for the peace of being present.
This title is the perfect counterbalance to the high-octane hustle of Girl, Wash Your Face. While Hollis motivates you to do more, Niequist gently asks if doing more is actually making you happy. She invites readers to step off the hamster wheel of achievement and find God in the quiet moments of an ordinary day.
For the 2026 woman who is burned out from “girl bossing” for the last decade, this book is a balm. It validates the desire to slow down. It teaches that your worth is not defined by your productivity or your carefully curated image. It is a beautiful, lyrical read that encourages you to wash your face, yes, but then to maybe just sit on the porch and breathe for a while.
The Practical Habit Builders
Inspiration is great, but habits change lives. These books provide the systems you need to sustain the changes you want to make.
12. Atomic Habits by James Clear
You literally cannot make a list of self-improvement books in 2026 without including Atomic Habits. James Clear’s masterpiece has likely appeared on every reading list you have seen, and for good reason. It is the definitive guide to behavior change. While Hollis focuses on the motivation to change, Clear focuses on the mechanics of change.
Clear argues that you do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems. He introduces concepts like “habit stacking” and the “1 percent rule.” The writing is clean, scientific, and incredibly actionable. There is zero fluff here. It is pure strategy.
If you finished Girl, Wash Your Face fired up but failed to stick to your new routine after two weeks, this is the book you need. It explains that you are not lazy; you just have a design flaw in your routine. By applying Clear’s principles, you can turn the inspiration from Hollis into permanent lifestyle changes. It is the practical engine to put inside the motivational car.
13. Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
One of the reasons many women feel the need to “wash their face” and reset is because they are exhausted from overgiving. Nedra Glover Tawwab, a licensed therapist, wrote the handbook on why this happens. Set Boundaries, Find Peace is exactly what the title promises. It is a guide to reclaiming yourself by learning to say no.
Tawwab breaks down the different types of boundaries (physical, emotional, time, etc.) and gives scripts for how to enforce them. This is crucial because many women confuse being “nice” with having no boundaries. The book is direct, compassionate, and incredibly useful for navigating difficult relationships with family, work, and partners.
In the context of 2026, where work-life balance is constantly threatened by technology, this book is a survival guide. It pairs well with Hollis’s advice because it creates the container in which you can actually pursue your dreams. You cannot chase your goals if you are busy living everyone else’s life. Tawwab teaches you how to protect your energy so you have it for the things that matter.
14. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Rachel Hollis often speaks about creativity and the drive to create something of your own. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is the ultimate manifesto for creative living. Gilbert, the author of Eat Pray Love, strips away the angst often associated with art and replaces it with curiosity and joy.
She treats ideas as living entities that come to us looking for a partner. If we say yes, we get to create with them. If we say no, they move on to someone else. This magical realism approach takes the pressure off. You do not have to be a tormented genius to create; you just have to be willing to play.
For the Girl, Wash Your Face reader who wants to write a book, start a podcast, or paint a mural, Big Magic is essential. It tackles the fear of judgment and the “imposter syndrome” that stops so many women before they start. It is lighthearted, wise, and deeply encouraging. It gives you permission to make bad art, which is often the first step to making good art.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Chapter
The beauty of reading Girl, Wash Your Face was likely the realization that you are in the driver’s seat of your own life. The books listed above are the maps, the fuel, and the passengers for the road trip ahead.
Whether you choose the tough love of Jen Sincero, the soulful wisdom of Brené Brown, or the tactical brilliance of James Clear, the goal remains the same: to become who you were meant to be. In 2026, we have more resources than ever to help us grow. The only question left is, which book will you pick up first?
“Your life is up to you.” — This sentiment echoes through every book on this list.
Happy reading!