Lin's bookshelf
Here's a list of all the danmei I read, am reading, and plan to read at some point of my life.
I'm always happy about recommendations, so please feel free to jump into my twitter DMs and send me your faves!
Beware of extremely subjective and way too positive opinions
I first feel the need to explicitly state that all the work I read are translations. Every single one is extremely well done and I can't stress enough how much respect I have for the translators who do so much for free. I'm eternally grateful, thank you thank you!
Bookshelf
row one: currently reading
| Title | Author | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Case File Compendium 病案本 - Bing An Ben | Meatbun | Translation ongoing (255) |
| Don't be a Kept Man 不做软饭男 - Bu zuo ruan fan nan | Diaobao rghh | Reading the various arcs on and off |
| First-Class Lawyer 一级律师 - Yi ji lüshi | Mu Su Li | Currently Reading and loving it so much(215) |
row two: ultimate favourites
Sorted chronologically
| Title | Author | Status | Opionion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo Du 默读 - Silent Reading | priest | completed (180 + 5) | The one that made me realise that I'm definitely developing a bias towards priest novels. Intelligent crime story with individual cases where everything is connected. Each time I finished a case I thought it couldn't get any better and then it did. And then it's made even better by the two amazing leads. Favourite Character: Luo Wenzhou (the only one on the list who has his life together) |
| Can Ci Pin 残次品 - The Defective | priest | completed (197 + 6) | I'm not even a big fan of sci-fi and this is still my favourite novel ever. I could talk for days about how much I love it. Epic space adventure that spans multiple years and galaxies and features amazing characters. One great moment is followed by the next and the pacing is excellent. I have nothing else to say, please read Can Ci Pin. Favourite Character: Lin Jingheng (but Lu Bixing is only a millimeter behind him) |
| Quan Qiu Gao Kao 全球高考 - Global Examination | Mu Su Li | completed (166) | I can't stress just how much I love the CP in this. Both MCs seperately and together are exaclty my cup of tea and the secondary characters are also all super likeable as well. Add to that the amazing setting and Mu Su Li's impeccable writing, and you've got one of my favourite novels out there. Favourite Character: Qin Jiu (but honestly? I love them all) |
| Bo Wu 薄雾［无限］- Mist [Unlimited] | Wei Feng Ji Xu | completed (103+3) | I've never simultaneously felt so intelligent and stupid while reading a novel and I'm still in awe at the author's galaxy brain. It has an incredibly dense plot and stays exciting until the very last page. Highly recommend it for people who like well-done plot twists and time travelling. Also, the CP of openly and proudly gay man x alleged homophobic dude is highly amusing and surprisingly sweet. Favourite Character: Song "Wait, is that gay?" Qinglan |
| Mou Mou 某某 (A Certain Someone) | Mu Su Li | completed 112+1 | Musuli's writing paired with the highschool slice of life setting is nothing but perfection. It's simultaneously wholesome and heart-wrenching, hilarious and devastating, and I enjoyed every single page. Musuli always paints vivid imagery with her words and her characters feel alive. Not much else to say here, this one is one of my favourites. Favourite Character: Sheng Wang (whose WeChat naming conventions are just the best) |
| Tai Sui 太岁 | priest | finished (247) | This isn't a novel, it's an experience. A funny, tragic, painful, brilliant experience. Xi Ping has got to be one of my favourite MCs ever. Going on a journey with him and watching him develop has been equal parts me shouting "XI PING NO!" and "XI PING YES!" It's a novel about inevitable change and how it affects those who embrace it and those who try to stop it, and in the middle you have XI Ping who's just like shrugging noises. It's also a novel about all those people Xi Ping meets, who influence him and who he influences in turn. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight and all the characters are incredibly fleshed out. 100/10 novel. Favourite Character: ?????? How? To choose? If I had to I'd say Zhi Xiu and Xi Ping, but I honestly love everyone. |
| Xiao Mogu 小蘑菇 - Little Mushroom | Yi Shi Si Zhou | completed (84+5) | I'm one of those people who saw the title, read the summary, and went "thanks but no thanks". Luckily I checked the proper summary later, otherwise I'd have missed one of the best novels I've read. I love how the author's style - the way she describes so everything poetically while still keeping An Zhe's viewpoint very rational and poignant. There's not a single filler-chapter in the novel and the pacing is excellent. I'd never thought my comfort novel would be dystopian but here we are. Favourite Character: Lu Feng. There's just something about cold military man....right, LJH? |
| Here U Are | Djun | completed (manhua, 136+11) | The first and probably only manhua to enter this shelf but oh my god does it ever deserve it's place on here. It's SO good! Story perfect, art perfect, characters perfect. Everyone is gay. The secondary characters get so much development they might as well be protagonists. There's slow-burn There's a couple with a massive age gap. There's an angsty boy. The protagonist is on fire. There is spice! What more could you want? I'm bowing before Djun for creating this masterpiece. Favourite Character: Chu Huanwen!!! ;____; Aaaah he deserves all the good things! |
row three: already read
Sorted chronologically
| Title | Author | Status | Opionion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo Dao Zu Shi 魔道祖师 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation | MXTX | completed (113 + 13) | The one that started it for me. Ah yes the good old days of going :OOOO at all the unfamiliar tropes. You can tell I really enjoyed it because it made me go back for more. Could never really get into the main CP, but that's fine. There's enough non-canon ships to sail through the story. Favourite Character: Xue Yang (He might not deserve a happy ending, but I still think he should get one) |
| Tian Guan Ci Fu 天官赐福 - Heaven Official's Blessings | MXTX | completed (244 + 8) | The one that took my hand and said "Better make yourself some tea, because you're not leaving this danmei pit anytime soon." Amazing, character-driven narrative with a diverse cast where everyone has their own lives and stories. There's really not much more to say, it's just really, really good. Favourite Character: Jun Wu (Why yes I LOVE garbage, why do you ask?) |
| Zhen Hun 镇魂 - Guardian | priest | completed (106 + 5) | Zhenhun holds a very special place in my heart and is the first danmei fandom I was truely a part of. Even though, from a narrative perspective, it's not pipi's best work, the main CP makes it all worth it. No thoughts, head empty, only Weilan. Also, the Shen San extra is enough to elevate it to a literary masterpiece. Favourite Character: Shen Wei (I love all-powerful entities that go uwu) |
| Sha Po Lang 杀破狼 | priest | completed (128 + 15) | Ah yes, Sha Po Lang. The one that made me realise that maybe I might be developping a bias towards priest novels. Absolutely gorgeous setting and extremely intricate story full of twists and turns. Amazig side characters. Favourite Character: Shen Yi (arguably the hardest-working one in the novel) |
| Qi Ye 七爷 - Lord Seventh | priest | completed (76 + 3) | The journey through priest novels continues. I didn't hear much about this prior to reading and didn't have any expectations, so I was very pleasantly surprised. It's slower paced, and the narrative feels a bit thin at points, but, as always with pipi's works, the characters make it worth it. Favourite Character: Helian Yi (no I don't take criticism) |
| Tian Ya Ke 天涯客 - Faraway Wanderers | priest | completed (77 + 4) | A yes, who doesn't love a good story about two absolute clowns. Like Qi Ye before, the narrative here also feels secondary to the characters, and this is not a criticism. While I do love pipi's big-brained novels, her more light-hearted stories are extremely satisfying as well. It's very funny, except when it isn't and purposefully makes you cry. Favourite Character: Zhou Zishu (and Wen Kexing. I can't decide.) |
| Guomen 过门 | priest | completed (69 + 3) | I thought this one would be a bit boring because it's a slice of life story without any epic battles or grand schemes, but then the novel gently took my face in it's hands and kicked me in the guts. Really amazing journey with a whole lot of angst. Made me realise that I might have a thing for highschool/uni slice of life. Favourite Character: Xu Xilin (very relatable student ahaha) |
| Qian Qiu 千秋 - Thousand Autumns | Meng Xi Shi | completed (128 + 13) | This is such a delicious novel and resident dilf Yan Wushi is responsible for 69% of that. Can't believe Meng Xi Shi just went and created the perfect character. Setting-wise I already love Wuxia, and Shen Qiao's journey through the Jianghu is extremely enjoyable. The dynamic between the CP is one of my favourites ever. Favourite Character: Yan Wushi (More! Older! Characters! In! Danmei!) |
| Liu Yao 六爻 | priest | completed (109 + 3) | Found Family! They found each other! And they're a family! I already like this trope and Liu Yao really did it justice. This ragtag band of children and their adventures are super fun. Another one where the side characters really shine Favourite Character: Li Yun |
| Zhongji Lanyin 终极蓝印 - Ultimate Blue Seal | priest | completed (103 + 3) | Chen Lin. That's it, that's all I'm going to say about this. .....alright, no I'm not. It's a good novel. The science-y parts were entirely lost on me, but Su Qing's development was very satisfying and he's just an overall enjoyable MC and - actually no, you know what? JUSTICE FOR CHEN LIN! I accept apologies only in form of Chen Lin extras. Favourite Character: Chen Lin (there is no competition at all) |
| You Yi 游医 - Itinerant Doctor | priest | completed (60 + 3) | A wonderful mix between pure comedy, philosophy, and tragedy. There is a lot of delicious introspection and some thought-provoking contemplations. I can't stress enough how much I love the male leads and their relationship dynamic. How can such a short novel take up so much space in my memory? Go and read it, it deserves more attention Favourite Character: Huang Jinchen and Kou Tong (I genuinely can't decide) |
| Ni de ju li 你的距离 - Your Distance | Gongzi You | completed (90+3) | A very light and fun read for when you need something to just relax. No drama, no pain, just a nice slice of life. It's set in a German university (50% sure it's the very one I'm studying at) and the author clearly knows her stuff, because it's a very accurate representation. Favourite Character: Bai Changyi (oh man why can't I have a super attactive and considerate professor?) |
| Huai Dao 坏道 - Path of the Evil | priest | completed (94) | A nice crime novel, which (not to be That Person, but...) feels a bit like Mo Du Light. It's not quite as in-depth and clever, but still very enjoyable. The police crew has a wonderful found family vibe to it and I LOVE the secondary CP (as did pipi, considering how much page-time they got) Favourite Character: Sheng Yao (also resident queen Yang Man who's just chef's kiss) |
| Siwang Wanhuatong 死亡万花筒 - Kaleidoscope of Death | Xi Zixu | completed 139 + 9 | I thought I was above getting scared by mere words on a page, but oh boy did KoD prove me wrong. In fact, it made me break my year-long habit of going up the staircase leading to my flat without turning on the lights. Other than an impressive amount of creepiness and gore, the novel also has two very lovely, crossdressing leads. The side characters are a bit pale in comparison, but considering the theme of the novel that's not too bad. The only thing that has me conflicted to this day is the ending. Still not sure whether or not I like it. Overall a very good novel though, especially if you like scary stuff. Favourite Character: Ruan Nanzhu (and all his many different aliases) |
| Huang Jin Tai 黄金台 Golden Stage | Cang Wu Bin Bai | completed 79 + 4 | I went into this novel with completely wrong expectations because it was tagged as Enemies to Lovers, so I thought they were really going to hate each other. Turns out they're just the most lovestruck fools ever who'd do everything and more for each other. Not that I'm complaining. The intrigue was nice, though for my taste there was too little conflict. Still, I enjoyed the novel! Favourite Character: Fu Shen (he and Gu Yun would be besties) |
| Bu Fa Zhi Tu 不法之徒 Lawless Gangster | Bai Shan Hei Shui | completed 84+3 | Sweet, innocent mobster x evil, dangerous school teacher. Nice subversion of character tropes. I really enjoyed the way the author portrayed the characters - they were objectively bad and she didn't make any excuses for them or try to play down their crimes. They were allowed to be bad and I was still sympathetic. My favourite part about the entire novel was the extras though, they were a perfect wrap-up for the story. Favourite Character: Xiao Li (the very definition of a poor little meow meow) |
| Ren zha fanpai ziju xitong 人渣反派自救系统 (SVSSS) | MXTX | completed 81 + 20 | I can't believe it took me this long to read this novel. Finally an transmigration story I could enjoy, after my friend made me suffer through countless male-fantasy isekai anime. Genuinely funny stuff with great characters and SO MANY GOOD CPs. Honestly, the amount of ships I have here. Shen Qingqiu really deserves his harem. Favourite Character: Shen Yuan (but my favourite CP is Moshang) |
| Ming Ri Xing Cheng 明日星程 - The Star Around the Sun | Jin Gang Quan | Completed (135+15) | This was an absolute (and unexpected) journey of a novel. I love how the author wove the movie plotlines into the framework and how the character's mental state was visible in the way they related to their movie selves. Speaking of characters, hello yes thank you for the age difference and for an amazing older LI, I'm all here for it. I like how their relationship developped in a slow and hesitant way, it was great. Everything was great, just a overall great novel. Favourite Character: Yang Youming (he's almost 40 you guys I'm so happy) |
| Duo Meng 夺梦 Seizing Dreams | Fei Tian Ye Xiang | Completed (165) | That feeling when you read something that just. Hits the spot. This is the perfect mixture of exciting adventure, coming-of-age story, and romance I've read in a while. What's especially notable are the side characters that get elevated to main characters during their respective arc. Also can I just say Chen Yekai??? I've never seen a secondary character with so much protagonist energy. But all characters are incredibly deep and I had trouble letting go after finishing the novel. Favourite Character: Chen Yekai (but big shoutout to Yu Hao for being an incredible MC!) |
| Ru Xi 入戏 Deep in the Act | Tong Zi | Completed (62) | HO BOY. Where to start? Okay, first of all, I'm not a big reader of the papapa, so I skimmed over a whole bunch of this novel. But the rest I read throughly, and I really, really enjoyed it. I love the narrative style of this, the way the movie-plot and the actor-plot are intertwined, foreshadowing and mirroring each other is just really well done. And both storylines are very exciting (and also it's two unhealthy relationships for the price of one, who doesn't love it?) There were some things I couldn't really get behind, but it's overall an enjoyable novel. Favourite Character: Zhang Zhun (and, curiously, Fang Chi) |
| Mei Qian Liehun 没钱离婚 - No Money to Divorce | Shou Chu | Completed (100+3) | I had high expectations for this one because the sci-fi setting seemed intriguing and enemies to lovers is always great. Unfortunatley there was a bit of wasted potential here, both in the world-building and the characterisation department. I feel like it was too short for what it wanted to set up. It was still enjoyable (setting reminded me very much of a watered-down c2p), but it could have been more. Just replace all the rabbit scenes with more worldbuilding. Favourite Character: Adrian. Gotta love cold-hearted military men. |
| Mozun ye xiang zhidao 魔尊也想知道 - Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know | Cyan Wings | completed (80+2) | Congrats to this danmei for being the first to make me ship two female side characters more than the main CP. I ended up not caring about the MC and ML at all, all I wanted was more Shu Yanyan scenes. The novel itself is good - it's funny, the plot is good and I like the premise that instead of a character, the book itself got isekai'd. But what's really great are the side characters and I was really invested in their fates! Some danmei I read for the couple, some for the story, and this one is definitely the latter. Favourite Character: Shu Yanyan. Absoltuely amazing 10/10 give her her own novel |
| Wei Zhuang Xue Zha 伪装学渣 - Fake Slackers | Mu Gua Huang | completed (112+3) | Every few novels I need to read a high school story and this once certainly scratched the itch. After MouMou and Guomen this one is very light and angst-less, they're just having a good time. It's very enjoyable, but I feel like I won't remember it after a while. But that's just me needing angst to get truely invested. For those who are in need of a drama-less novel, this is definitely the way to go! Favourite Character: Xie Yu |
| Qiongqiong 茕茕 - Loneliness | Jiu yue mai de binggan | completed (23+3) | I went though an "angsty danmei" recommendation list, but apparently my standards for angst and pretty high by now. This novel is short and sweet - sure, there are some insecurities, but all in all there's not enough development for it to be truely angsty. If you want a little sweet snack for inbetween though, this is what to pick! Favourite Character: It really is too short for me to have one! |
| Qing Mei Yu 青梅屿 Green Plum Island | Hui Nan Que | completed (53+5) | Short and sweet, for those times where you crave some relationship development but without any real plot behind it. What I really enjoyed were the descriptions of the setting. It felt really tranquil and peaceful. A little respite from everyday life. There wasn't much drama or angst and it's all very sweet. Favourite Character: I didn't really get attached to one. Probably the island ahaha |
| Tong Qian Kan Shi 铜钱龛世 - Copper Coins | Mu Su Li | completed (102+1) | Aaaaaahhhh dragooooon!!! Finally, I've been waiti Musuli strikes again. I just love her couple dynamics so much. They're always both so capable, without one having to rely on the other (unless, of course, they want to). Of course there was a bit of memory fuckery going on again and I love the way Musuli uses the mystery to create the uncertainty in the relationship. Like, I know something is fishy, and I can't wait for the drama when it finally comes to light. The plot was very good (but I could have done with fewer insects ewwww) and the secondary characters, as always, stellar.Favourite Character: Xue Xian. Aaaaaahhhh dragoooooooon!!! |
| Shejiao Wendu 社交温度 Social Outcast | Ka Bi Qiu | completed (33) | It was okay. This sounds negative, but it's not. It was just an okay novel. I read it, had a time, and it was done. It was too short to do the dynamic justice - where it more drawn out and in depth, I would have enjoyed it a lot. As it is, it's a bit forgettable and I didn't get attached to either character. So yeah! A novel! |
| Bai Ri Shi Gu 白日事故 An Accident in Broad Daylight | Gao Tai Shu Se | completed (65+1) | This one is not for me. I mean, I finished it, so it's definitely not bad, but I just do not enjoy the dynamics. I should start not continuing novels I don't really enjoy, but something in my brain makes me go you have to finish otherwise you're not allowed to have an opinion. Stupid but yeah. Anyway, to me this was very forgettable. I barely remember what happened, so I cannot write much here. Sorry. |
| Fei Ou Bu Xia 飞鸥不下 Flying Gulls Never Land | Hui Nan Que | completed (TL ongoing)(73+9) | I started this because I read the manhua and fell in love. I really enjoyed the drama. And that's most there is to this, really - drama. Not that that is bad, especially not if you enjoy angst and miscommunication and relationships that are considered mmmmmquestionable (they're brothers by adoption, okay? no chromo.) The relationship wasn't sweet and I loved it. The characters aren't likeable and I love them. So yeah! Reccommended! Favourite Character: Yes. |
row four: want to read
In no particular order.
I (mostly) only read finished translations and never (!) MTLs
| Title | Author | Chapters | Status in Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DingHai Fusheng Records 定海浮生录 | Feitian Yexian | 138 + 3 | Not Finished |
| Jin Se 锦瑟 | priest | 79+1 | Finished |
| Nan Chan 南禅 | Tang Jiuqing | 129 | Finished |
| Wushuang 无双 (Peerless) | Meng Xi Shi | 187+4 | Finished |
| Diqiu Shangxian 地球上线 (The Earth is Online) | Mo Chen Huan | 340 + 5 | Finished |
| Yi Ji Lüshi 一级律师 (The Lawyer) | Mu Su Li | 215 | Not Finished |
| Sha Qing 杀青 | Wu Yi | 87+6 | Not Finished |
| Bie Lai Wu Yang 别来无恙 (Hope you've been well) | Bei Nan | 98+1 | Not Finished |
| Pan Guan 判官 | Mu Su Li | 117 + 6 | Not Finished |
| SaYe 撒野 | Wu Zhe | 145+5 | Not Finished |
| Jun You Ji Fou 君有疾否 | Ru Shi Wo Wen | 89+3 | Not Finished |
| Da Ge 大哥 | priest | 69 | Not Finished |
| Lie Huo Jiao Chou 烈火浇愁 | priest | 137 + 8 | Not Finished |
| Beidou 北斗 | Meng Xi Shi | 182 + 6 | Not Finished |
| Qi Wai Shang 妻为上 (The Wife is First) | Lu He Qian He | 105 + 3 | Not Finished |
| Shan He Biao Li 山河表里 | priest | 77 + 3 | Not Finished |