For recommending female protagonists that don't immediately lower their IQ and EQ when a (ML) man enters the picture. Strong is also used somewhat lightly. This recommendation list will be more geared towards female leads who's actions/words are pivotal in the story. Due to the landscape of light novels with female protagonists, this list will not be completely romance free, but stories recommended will either be slow romance or the story itself will not pivot around the male lead's actions/story.... more>>

Order added as I recall them. Some I haven't read in a while so my thoughts aren't necessarily accurate. If you have a recommendation, please leave a comment of what I should try out! <<less

For personal reference/rereading. Mostly plot focus & serious favs, with solid writing/characterisations/overarching plot. Any pairings (mostly bl/het), but not many harem/stallion novels. Mostly CN/KR novels for dialogue. Roughly sorted, many genres, no/low spoilers.... more>>

I prefer wuxia over xianxia, tragedy over fluff, etc. Some less serious/non-plot-focused novels included/marked for their definitive traits.
Personal genre/trait favs: comedy, tragedy, historical, mystery, psychological, scifi, realistic, mature, bittersweet, wuxia, delinquents, strategies/war, empire building, betrayal, food.   <<less

Thank you to everyone who made my first list such a hit IMO :') A continuation of all the well-written CN novels I've read and grew fond of!  No order in terms of quality~ ... more>>

LINK to part 1: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/28811/ <<less

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NOT RANKED BY NUMBER. Lots of diversity in the novels. Different kinds like zombie apocalypse, horror, or light-hearted reads like comedy and romance. They all have their own quirks and differences, but one thing that they all have in common is that they are strong in their own way, and they are all female leads. Mentally, physically, talent-wise, etcetera. Some have romance and some don't.  If that's your cup of tea, go right ahead! I don't put bad novels on this list. So read them all. 3/5+ stars only!... more>>

THE ONES WITHOUT RATING ARE NOVELS IM STILL READING!

UPDATES EVERY WEEK!  <<less

My very own FMC romance scale:... more>>

(1/8) No romance at all, literally zero --- 

(2/8) Very little romance it's basically negligible --- 

(3/8) Some romance but it's not the focus (FMC is the focus still) --- 

(4/8) Equal parts romance to other aspects, but ML is nice so it's alright --- 

(4.5/8) Equal parts romance or ML appears as much as MC but MC is the dominant one/stronger than the ML ---

(5/8) Romance is a big portion of the story or the ML appears as much as the MC and it's not her own story anymore, more like their shared story --- 

(6/8) ML appears so much is the MC even still the protagonist at all?

(7/8) MC is smart but in front of the ML becomes a dumb dumb / MC is strong but in front of ML becomes a doormat - immediate dropping of the story --- 

(7.5/8) MC is strong but ML is stronger and she can't escape his grasp everytime - the imbalance makes me curse and swear --- 

(8/8) MC is totally useless without ML and always needs his saving. Why is she even the MC?

Of course this list won't include all of the above, just up to maybe 3 or 4/8 at most. I just wrote down the scale for my own use. <<less

Let's continue shall we....?!??            Unpopular novels that is....                         ... more>> Go check-out (desires of the heart part 1, 2 & 3 and the popular novels for newbies) as well in my profile. As usual will be adding novels from time to time. Follow and keep updated. Mwuaaaah....!?!! <<less

List of novels in my To Read list for my favourite trope, rags to riches! To my best guess anyway since I haven't read them XD. Also usually slice of life. ... more>>

I'll also put what made me want to pick the story up. Just be warned that I will delete the story from the list after I've read so the list will frequently change. I like to view the cover art of the book, and be able to see a lot of novel details on the list in one place instead of having to click to the web novel page. I also include any translation detail like where to find them if they aren't on novelupdates so I can read the whole story without getting stuck halfway because of no translations. Not in any particular order but I try to put similar novels, either in expected tropes or vibes together. And the incompleted ones at the back.  Recommendations are very welcome! <<less

Cleanse yourself of overbearing CEOs, obsessive yanderes, cold and low EQ snobs, insidious black bellies, mu*derous tyrants, and needy man children, and embrace the beauty... more>> that is the firm but fair, sweet, kind, healing and gentle male leads. On this list we stan men whom are not just excellent boyfriends but excellent men in general. I tried to only include MLs that were sweet and considerate to the FLs all the way through (no midway personality changes, no tsundere tendencies, etc.).  <<less

Second part of the list of well-written romance stories on NU. All with HE. ... more>>

This is part 1: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/4500/ <<less

Time Travel, Transmigration, Isekai, 70's Seventies, 60's Sixties, 50's Fifties, 80'S Eighties, 90's Nineties, Back in Time, Into a Novel, with a System.

This is a series of stories that either have a chef as the main character or someone who can cook really well. The descriptions of... more>> the food make me so hungry! <<less

My personal list for this niche genre of novels - will be adding as I read. Charisma and leadership do not come easy, but they sure as hell come naturally for these protagonists. Charismatic MCs with significant focus on character and ability growth, kingdom / army / career development & management, and/or wholesome friendships / brotherhood. Romance (if any) will only be subplots, not the main focus. I've put short descriptions and summaries of every novel, plus my thoughts on them.... more>>

Arranged from best > worst > boring reading experience. I change my ratings often. Feel free to recommend more or point out any mistakes in my sorting of this list. Cheers!

*[CC] - Collecting Companions, aka collecting and raising loyal companions. Brotherhood, friendship, blablabla. [CC] focuses more on picking up and raising companions without necessarily having to develop a full kingdom/empire.

*[KB] - Kingdom Building. I'll use this abbreviation as a general umbrella term for anything to do with (insert noun)-building and management. [KB] by association would also include raising the people in that empire/kingdom, but the novels focus more on the development/management part. <<less

Completed Novels Only. No QuickTrans.

Where the FL has talent(s) or skill(s) that sets them apart from the others, and was built through experience, not shortcuts. This list also includes the ones I haven't read so some wrong ones might be included.... more>>

In the description, "talented" means the FL has natural talent in it and can cultivate the skill quickly. "good at" means FL achieved the skill mainly through through long training period, even when the FL does have talent in it. Excludes Quick Transmigration stories as those are technically cheating ~_~"

*List is not in order*

Tags may include one or multiple of the following. <<less

Fully translated novels to read. F/M. - Not Romance focused

Novels with a focus on food, cooking, running a food business or just simply cooking for pleasure full of descriptions to make you drool

I have read some of them, but not all . They are slow life no harem, no big dramas,some to none romance. Some are BG,Bl,Gl,... more>> or even no romance; so check the individual tags <<less

Do recommend me some novels that have OP fmcs, strong fmcs (physically/mentally) or smart ones which you think need to be here..... more>>

 (It's been a long time so I'm not familiar with the newer posted novels.) <<less

These are my ]want-to-read books that have multiple genres, I give a bare minimum summary and my eagerness to read. <3

Anything under ancient china settings that I've read and enjoyed

Trying to list out all the novels I have ever read (whether or not I finished reading them or just stopped/paused) just to help myself... more>> keep track.Won't be in correct order of when I read them but it's around there~Does not include those on the webnovel app that are not on NU <<less

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Continued from BG Recs, Non-QT 1 list.... more>>

Various genres. I prefer smart, calm, or easy going characters. Not much dog blood found here. All the novels where the translation is incomplete, I finished reading via MTL and found the MTL very understandable. The quality of the novels in this list ranges from 3-stars to 5-stars, but I found them all enjoyable reads and would re-read them again. <<less