(Actively updated.) When I first started reading on NU, I wished that there was a rec list with long descriptions of the novels so I knew what I'm getting myself into instead of having to check the synopsis of each individual novel. Couldn't find any, so I created one. Here it is. Arranged from best > worst > boring reading experience.... more>>

Disclaimer; my "reviews" are my own personal, biased opinions. I'm terrible at being systematic & putting my thoughts into effective sentences, so 90% of the novel descriptions in here are just me rambling. I usually only drop & rate novels after I've read at least until c.35. Also, I like to change my ratings & reviews sporadically. Feel free to suggest more novels and/or argue with me.

[5/5] - Truck-kun would shed real man tears at these masterpieces.

Below [4.4/5] - Truck-kun would shed tears of a disappointed Asian parent.

[3/5] - Truck-kun would hit them (again), maybe then they'll transmigrate and become a better story. Replaceable at any time.

("|| STATUS: [ ]" is my reading status as of typing the novel's description.) <<less

List of bl novels that focuses on how to improve quality of living through hard work (farming, business, studying, kingdom  building, etc) that I found.... more>> Not a rec list <<less

*RECOMMENDED!! MUST READ.
*I'm Sharing my list, for those who like this kind of setting, genre! :) 
*not in any particular order... more>>

*list include: done reading, Currently reading and dropped but will read again since not all chapters are translated (tried MTL) 

*Will add more

*MOSTLY BL

*PRIMITIVE

*ANCIENT

*MODERN

*ABO

*APOCALYPSE

*REBIRTH

*TIME TRAVEL

*TRANSMIGRATION

Note: I also added Stories not available in NU on the comment section below :) they are easy to read.  <<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

Ancient or Cultivation BL reads that will make you feel you didn't waste your time. This list is apart of a series classified by genre; other lists of this series include Thriller/Action, Fluff, and Modern/Transmigration novels. I tried to include both known and unknown novels to give more diversity to the reading list. Honest note--not a big fan of ancient settings. I've judged quality by reviews and seeming plot. ... more>>

So what is my subjective version of a quality BL of this list?

-No/little plot holes & well developed plot

Capable MC and ML  (not aggravatingly s*upid and knows when to respect each other but also put their foot down at the right moments). 

 -Lasting impression. I made this list by memory so if it's not on here...Chances are it's not worth remembering for the list.

-Makes me think--especially applies to this genre since I usually read this genre for the court schemes and palace intrigues. 

-Make me cry, laugh, yell or gasp. Perhaps all at the same  time. 

*****I have also included BL novels that have high expectations from me. The higher the expectations, the higher the stars. Hence, "***, **, *."

PS. Novels I've read are the only ones rated according to number. The rest (unread) are just listed randomly.

 PSS. There are always exceptions on this list that don't fit the requirements. But it's not bad to explore out of your comfort zone.  <<less

✨Only the cream of the crop ✨ All the (mostly) historical novels which have proven to stand the test of time a.k.a survived  my endless nitpicking, fluctuating moods and multiple re-read. So yeah, pretty strong novels.... more>>

PS: The others novels I liked, but not enough to be featured here, are in my yearly "New Favorite Historical Romances" lists. <<less

See title lol ;) ... more>>

Also don't judge me for not reading some of these!!! Sigh I like hoarding the good novels and reading the tr*sh. Cries. 

Also this list is compiled of completed works and also not fully translated novels.  <<less

BL stories where the mc has a harem or multiple people like him

A hundred Chinese BL novels involving xianxia, historical, wuxia, martial arts and, xuanhuan dedicated to you and me.... more>>

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The novels in this recommendation list are with various kinds of protagonists and male leads, the protagonist can either be a gong or a shou, rags to riches kind of protagonist/ml, or strong to stronger kind of protagonist/ml but, there will be NO WORLD-HOPPING novels in this list. It's not that I dislike it, just, simply not my cup of tea.... yet.

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THIS IS NOT ARRANGED BY RANK

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All of these are, IMO, must-reads. Hands-down some of the best novels here. I've also included my own personal ratings and opinions of each of these novels. Well-written stories, great plots, characters, etc. I have relatively high standards for these to be my favorites, so these are all really high quality. I can't recommend them enough! coincidentally, all of them also have very high ratings (4.3-4.8)... more>>

Actively being updated. I haven't finished writing reviews/ratings for all of them yet, but I will in time. Meant to be ordered by highest personal ratings -> lowest personal ratings, but haven't had time to fix it yet. These are also my own opinions and feelings regarding each novel, so they won't be particularly eloquent, and you can definitely disagree. It's just me rambling.

Also added some ones I haven't read but will read and I know i will love. Feel free to recommend any danmei too!

...somehow, this also turned into a list of danmei I also want to read, not just a review of the ones I've read. I really can't control myself from looking for good danmei. Though, I'm sure I'll get to reviewing all of these someday <<less

Most promising novels that I'm excited to read this year! 《《o(≧◇≦)o》》

Novels with royalty tag..... more>>

Does not include QTs

Ancient settings, interstellar, omegaverse etc etc.... <<less

Basically my list of all the new stars of the genre! Happy reading :D ... more>>

Rating:  ❤️❤️❤️ To-die-for      ❤️❤️ Greatly entertaining                       ❤️ Enjoyable 
The novels are not all historical though.

For more, my all times "Best historical novels" list is here: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/19039/ <<less

can't stop going back and reading them again and again, that's how good they are

bl/gl novels with the protagonist and love interest growing romantic feelings for each other despite one, the other, or both being:
1) in ancient china... more>> /> 2) in historical europe
3) in a game/show/movie
4) in the apocalypse
5) from another world
note: the romance aspect may or may not be the focus of the story. <<less

I am loosing sight of all the stuff I read and liked or want to read still ? so ... Mostly cultivation stuff or historical. I have no standards and tend to read almost everything to have an excuse to procrastinate :,) So check the NU tags please.... more>>

It is mostly (!) sorted by how much I enjoyed it(I I finished it). To be read are at the very bottom, on hold (for various reasons ) in the middle.

Comments, Suggestions and additional warnings are welcome! (Like saying "Hippo What.The.f*ck. 'Series x not angst?! Are your feelings dead?!'" to which the answer is "Yes, they are" So I rely on others to tell me if I didn't pick up on the angst)

Removed cause I yeeted them like a hot potato(or "a list can only hold 100 but other ppl might enjoy and i wanna remember i dropped em"): 

-I've led the villain astray how do i fix it

-The protagonist is in the right position to get along with the villain <<less

Just the ones that caught my eye or were recommended frequently. Will have to look into them later, so PLEASE NOTE that I have not vetted all of these or anything! Many are ongoing, but there are also quite a few that are completed.... more>>

This may be a good source for people who want some novels that are not typically suggested, which is exactly what I was looking for.  <<less

Lots of scheming and imperial drama with exceptionally 'wise' emperors, more often than not. ... more>>

[Read the tags.] <<less

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The soothing balm to pesky reality. The top BL stories that make you want to read, read and re-read again. My top choices on the... more>> genre.  <<less

List of my Read and To-Read novels categorized roughly as Cultivation and Ancient.... more>>

Rating on a "relative" scale of my personal enjoyment (Not Objective)

4: Favorite. 3: Liked. 2: Ok. 1: Meh. 0: Didn't like/Didn't finish. N/a: To Read <<less

Promising BL Novels I want to read, added with my reason for it.

I’m fussy with my BL! Interesting plots, engaging chemistry, not too stereotypical....All in all these are novels that have me emotionally invested in the characters. ... more>>

There will, of course, be spicy ones.... <<less

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Part I: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/28818... more>>

Part 2 of my endless search for halfway decent KR novels. This list is filled with random novels that won't finish translating until my future mortgage is paid off. <<less