--"my most special person is you" feeling that goes both ways... more>>

-Dote on each other

-Actually COMMUNICATE with each other, like actual functioning human beings

-NO r*pe 

-We don't tolerate MCs or MLs who overstep boundaries

-Angst, only if it burns GOOD

-Place their trust in each other

-fluff all the wayyy

-It'll probably be sad how short this list might be

Someone once told me "Fluffy couples are boring. Isn't it much more interesting when they have drama and misunderstandings. Or when they both hate each other and their relationship is explosive" and I get the hype around that type of romance, but honestly, we need to start normalizing healthy and communicative relationships because it wasn't until I was 18 years old that I realized I've been reading a ton of abusive relationships (that authors painted off as romantic) and it was these FEW novels in this list that made me realize "this is what a loving relationship looks like, wtf have I been reading?" Plus, fluffy couples are not boring. There's a way to keep the reader intrigued; it's called plot. Personal recommendation: Governor's Illness. So many times I thought the protagonists would engage in a hate-love relationship, but they NEVER hold grudges against each other, even when it seemed like they were the cause of each other's issues. Instead, the writer is skilled and doesn't rely on petty drama. The plot itself is suspenseful. <<less

It’s in the title ... more>>

O turned to A 

A turned to O 

O who thinks he’s an A 

AxA 

Bottom A

Top O 

Shou who thinks he’s the gong 

Gong turned to shou etc  <<less

My comments and ratings on the BEST BL out there that I've read over the past 5 years.  Completed as of January 2024 and will start part 2 list soon. ... more>>

I have a soft spot for strong MCs, unusual relationship dynamics, plotty action, and a well-developed side character cast. I tend to prefer feel-good stories over dark, overly complex ones. These stories don't have everything I like, but they're all great for at least one aspect. 4/5 = like it, 5/5 = love it! MXTX novels not included because they are classics. 

Let me know what you think or if you have MTL recommendations! <<less

Many fan translators have removed their work. So read these before they disappear! I'm worried because a lot of the novel I was reading are... more>> already gone. <<less

A series of BL novels with varying plots and subgenres! Fluff, unlimited flow, xianxia, historical, quick transmigration, transmigration, supernatural, slow romance, comedy, mature (in terms of thinking and actions), etc. ... more>>

Minimal amount of angst and dogblood (if there's even any) (￣▽￣* )ゞ

Edit: I may have taken a bit of a liking towards angst nowadays... only a little. ( ˘︹˘ )

BL's I REALLY LIKE based on my own preference, and *coughs* I don't like s*upid MC's (*￣▽￣*)

Personally, I like MC's and ML's to have equal footing in terms of their overall personality, I don't like delicate shou tropes that much. 

And in my own, very subjective opinion, these novels have really good plots, or at least most of their logic is in the bounds of normal human logic. 

Note: Novels are not sorted according to rank, just depends on what I remembered first _(:3」∠)_ <<less

Wuxia, xianhuan, xianxia has some of the best danmei. While it may be hard to grasp at first if you’re not familiar with the setting, I highly recommend you try it out! (This was me when i read victorian steampunk for the first time)... more>>

I’ve tried to include everything: Healthy, power couple; character development; intriguing plots.

Would appreciate recs as well!

—will update— <<less

BL Cultivation... more>>

These heartless Shizuns! Oblivious to romantic feelings because they're too focused on cultivating! These evil and sinful disciples! Harboring unpure feelings towards their Shizuns!!! >A<

What the "smut" part means: If there is a "yes," that means there is at least one detailed/moderately described love scene.

Just a list because I need to get my sh*t together. Most importantly, I need to get my BL cultivation obsession sorted out.
Transmigration included, but no world hopping/quick transmigration. <<less

Ongoing list.  If you're looking for some sad or dramatic stuff (with a HE). 
Some have a lighter tone than others. But all of these contain elements like ~complicated relationships, dogblood drama, tragic pasts, betrayal, or deaths. ... more>>

All of these have English translations. 

I have them sorted by genre

1-5: modern setting 6-7: world hopping novels8-13: xianxia 
14-18: more general fantasy or primarily historical  <<less

MC: I didn't know you were like this! (っ °Д °;)っ... more>>

When the bottom wants to top MC!! 

#uke-like seme x seme-like uke #OG shou x mc

(includes BG & BL) + the novels suggested are all gems and in my top tier lists or in the process of being. Recommendations are all accepted + credit for introducing me to a new gem.

[This list is not polished yet so there might be inconsistencies and no description] <<less

[Some of these I have not completed (or are ongoing) so the list is subject to CHANGE at ANY TIME]... more>>

Notes contain mini introductions of the MC (with information from the first few chapters) and what I like about them. I also add novels that have potential to be great reads with promising MCs. But if they repeatedly annoy me, they are off the list.

(Despite the continued list, I am still updating this rec list (as some are still ongoing, and some I have yet to add notes for). <<less

✿ A refined collection of the most illustrious novels to date. Most, if not all, include a series of the precursor elements below:... more>>

- A primarily homos*xual theme. 

- Fully translated, or at least semi-translated. (MTL perhaps)

- Takes place in a xianxia, wuxia, or similar fantasy-esque settings. Historical and militaristic settings are quite abundant as well. Modern--maybe only a select few.

- Good relationships and even better drama. 

- The more dark, problematic themes, the better.

(I also want to make it clear that although I do rank the novels on this list based on how much I liked them, even if I give a book a low rating they still made it to this list so they're still worth reading! i have only come across ONE novel that was so unbearable to read that It couldn't even be listed here lol)

a WIP list. I will succumb to jjxwc sooner rather than later.  <<less

_(:3 」∠)_

to keep track

Just the good stuff I’ve read over the years. Fair warning, it is mostly danmei. I’ll try my best to read other genres.... more>>

not in any order** <<less

Going against heaven's will is no easy feat! ... more>>

Comments/feedback/criticism, all interactions welcome! <<less

Edit: I will no longer update this list. For more recommendations, please refer to my other list “golden collection”... more>>

Books I found  good enough to be called fantastic. Warning: Some books may have triggering/disturbing content. Please read the tags before reading. 

In no specific order. Ratings: 1-6 <<less

pretty much all BL ... more>>

november -  <<less

Stories with crazy smart plot. Not all about mystery solving, some just have crazy plot that not a lot of author can pull off (e.g.... more>> time travel). Some just involve good schemes and conspiracies. <<less

These are high ranking novels in popularity

Novels I recommend others try out. Some are more popular, others less. Some are fully translated, others still ongoing. These are all going by my own taste. All have HE.... more>>

Note: I strongly dislike non-con and dub-con. There will be none of that found in here. <<less

- I (almost) only read novels where the Shou/Uke/bottom is the MC/Protagonist... more>>

- I prefer without side cps, tho it’s always hard to find

- It’s not sorted, bc I can’t decide <<less

I'm fairly new to danmei and have specific tastes so the books might seem similar to each other. I MTL-ed some of them. Here's a list of danmei I've read/still reading in no particular order. ... more>>

this is a personal list made so i can keep track of novels i actually like and can find them easily in case i feel like rereading them.

will be updating as i go~

edit: if you have any recommendation, feel free to comment!! (´ . .̫ . `) <<less

MY favourites, if I may clarify lol. I'm really picky tbh and am quite prone to dropping novels that bore me at some point or... more>> gets annoying despite having a good start, so here are those I don't mind reading again and again.  <<less

Novels translated by Chrysanthemum Garden translation team. For novels I've read, I put on higher list and give a bit comment.
Their translation is good and the pace also great. And many enjoyable story there.... more>>

Due to the limitation of the list, I delete some novels which has rating less than 4.1

Due to the limitation of the list, I put the short stories on another list: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/35706/

> Totally recommended: super duper good great story that you'll regret if not read it
> Recommended: a good story with good plot and has certain charm
> Average: not a bad story but has an average plot or some generic stuff but still good
> Not my cup of tea: I wont say it bad, but it's not my taste. Feel free to try to read it tho :) <<less

Ranked by popularity on jjwxc