Books Recommended by CCTV’s Night Reading 央视夜读 推荐书籍📚

1. 151 已 Years Have Passed, and I Know Not When the Flowers Fell 已过数载，不知花落 Guest from Haizhou海州客8k WordsCompleted Years have passed. Who knows where the flowers have fallen. 160Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Thanks, it's been updated, I support it.

2. 152 负 Bearing a Sword, I Patrol the Heavens 负剑巡天 Guest from Haizhou海州客Eastern Fantasy517k WordsOngoing A speck of dust, a world. A pair of cultivator partners, a legend. The Twofold Dust Realm, a real world within a speck of dust. Here, they are its creators, able to still heaven and earth, and each other’s hearts. The world outside covets them, hunts them, and schemes against them without end. But as long as he is there, she is unafraid; as long as she is there, he will not retreat. Because the greatest power has never been the ability to destroy heaven and earth. It is this: You are by my si 1Reads—Score—Shelves
3. 153 认 Cognitive Shock: 50 Masterpieces That Turn Fate Around 认知暴击50本神作的逆天改命书 Time Read 8时阅8777k WordsCompleted As the author of Cognitive Shock: Books That Change Your Fate, Inspired by 50 Masterpieces, I’d like to share some thoughts with you. Have you ever felt that you’ve read countless books, yet your life stays exactly the same? It’s not that knowledge is useless. Most of us simply read at a basic level, passively taking in information. This book is a record of my journey out of that rut. I used to believe that any reading was beneficial, until reality gave me a harsh lesson. I’d read shelf after s 93Reads6.6Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Good books worth staying up all night

4. 154 盛 Medicinal Splendor of the High Tang 盛唐药华 Dazzling Guan Ke光彩夺目的关可Ancient Romance270k WordsOngoing She was cast aside by her father and cut off her long hair; he transmigrated a thousand years into the past to practice medicine in the Tang Dynasty. When a fallen nun meets a transmigrated master physician, a legend of rising to greatness in the golden age of the Tang begins! Pei Qingwan, daughter of Chang'an's richest man, refused to become a concubine to a corrupt and cruel court official. Driven to the brink by her father's insistence that “the family comes first,” she took up a sword on th —Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, merchants had a low social status. As the daughter of a merchant, she was forced to marry a court official. She shaved her head and became a nun, turning against her father. In the end, her father was humiliated. She encountered a great medical sage in the temple and saved the people. With the support of Empress Wu Zetian and others, she became the head of her own sect in the chaotic world.

5. 155 清 Romance of the Qing Dynasty 清史演义 Cai Dongfan蔡东藩Historical587k WordsCompleted Cai Dongfan's The Romance of the Qing Dynasty is an epic of sweeping grandeur. In a million words, it uncovers the century-spanning secrets of the Qing Empire, from its rise to its fall! From Nurhaci rallying his troops against the Ming with his “Seven Grievances,” to Kangxi outsmarting and capturing Oboi and putting down the Three Feudatories; from undercurrents stirring beneath the Qianlong Emperor's prosperous reign to the humiliating guns of the Opium War; then to Empress Dowager Cixi ruling 3Reads8.3Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   The weight of history is palpable! [Under pressure to meet deadlines][Under pressure to meet deadlines][Under pressure to meet deadlines]

6. 156 匈 A History of the Xiongnu Empire 匈奴帝国史 Zuo Wenning左文宁Historical147k WordsCompleted Without understanding the grassland civilizations, you can only understand half of Han culture. Where did the Xiongnu come from? How did they rise? Why did they prosper, and what led to their decline? Throughout five thousand years of Chinese civilization, the grassland peoples have received relatively little attention. In fact, centuries of nomadic life across the grasslands shaped their distinctive cultural character and historical identity: fierce, resilient, and devoted to martial prowess an 178Reads9.4Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   The Great Era /″//

7. 157 峥 The Turbulent Northern and Southern Dynasties 峥嵘南北朝 Niu Taqiu牛踏秋Historical196k WordsCompleted Grounded in research on official histories, this book recounts historical figures and stories from the various periods of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, seeking to restore the past as it truly was and offer lessons for the present. Divided into five parts, “An Era of Rebellion,” “Proud Literati,” “Fearsome Generals,” “Unruly Names,” and “A Flourishing Culture,” it covers court politics, the sentiments of literati, the true nature of humanity, military strategy, and brilliant cultural achie 5Reads9.2Score—Shelves
8. 158 中 Li Hongzhang: One of the Four Great Statesmen of the Restoration 中兴四大名臣李鸿章 Liang Qichao梁启超Historical64k WordsCompleted Li Hongzhang (1823–1901) was a powerful late Qing official, founder and commander of the Huai Army and the Beiyang Fleet, and one of the leading figures of the Self-Strengthening Movement. Alongside Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, and Zhang Zhidong, he was known as one of the Four Great Ministers of the Tongzhi Restoration. His life spanned nearly all of the most turbulent, humiliating, and arduous years of China’s modern history. His achievements and failings remain an important subject of scholarly —Reads8.1Score—Shelves
9. 159 不 The History of Emperor Taizu of Song, Too Gruesome to Read Closely 不忍细看的宋太祖史 Cai Dongfan蔡东藩Historical82k WordsCompleted Did you know? In the long sweep of Chinese history, the Song dynasty is one of those extraordinary dynasties you simply can’t leave out. The History of Song Taizu: Too Wild to Read Closely is a fascinating book that will have you laughing your way through those years of the Song dynasty. From Zhao Kuangyin’s dramatic rise from the start, when he was “cloaked in the yellow robe,” to the tragic end of the Southern Song, emperors, generals, ministers, and famous scholars spring vividly to life, as 2Reads7.7Score—Shelves
10. 160 野 Wild History Isn’t Necessarily False 野史未必假 The Breeze and Cold Wind Howl微风冷风呼呼吹Historical658k WordsCompleted History is more than the rigid record preserved in official histories. The overlooked scraps at its edges often conceal truths that are livelier, more outrageous, and closer to human nature. Do you think Liao Hua was just a minor figure who rose to prominence because Shu had “no great generals left”? What pitfalls lay behind Zhuge Ke’s reputation as a genius? Wen Yang, dubbed “Little Zhao Yun,” had a life far more dramatic than you might imagine! Ma Chao was more than just the “Brocade of Xilian 2.5kReads9.2Score490Shelves
11. 161 大 Three Hundred Years of the Tang Dynasty’s Rise and Fall: A Thousand Years in One Glance 大唐兴衰三百年：一眼千年读唐史 Cai Dongfan蔡东藩Historical624k WordsCompleted [Read in One Sitting + Three Hundred Years of the Tang Dynasty + Historical Context + History Made Accessible + Major Historical Figures] The three-hundred-year Tang dynasty was about far more than the Zhenguan and Kaiyuan eras or the poet Li Bai. This book lets you take in a thousand years of history at a glance. From Li Yuan’s desperate uprising in Taiyuan to Li Shimin’s unrivaled glory as the “Heavenly Khan”; from Wu Zetian’s unprecedented era as an empress to the height of prosperity under L 17Reads8.2Score—Shelves
12. 162 清 Veritable Records of Qing Taizu, Emperor Wu 清太祖武皇帝实录 Anonymous佚名Historical59k WordsCompleted The Veritable Records of Emperor Wu, Taizu of Qing is the authoritative official biography of Nurhaci, founder of the Later Jin dynasty. Written in chronological form, it recounts the sweeping story of the Manchus’ rise from tribal rivalries to the foundation of an empire. The book not only reveals the mythic origin of the “Three Fairy Maidens Who Ate the Divine Fruit and Bore the Ancestor,” but also vividly depicts Nurhaci’s legendary deeds: raising an army with thirteen suits of ancestral armo 3Reads7.8Score—Shelves
13. 163 清 Romance of the Thirteen Qing Emperors 清宫十三朝演义 Xu Xiaotian许啸天Historical579k WordsCompleted The Romance of the Thirteen Reigns of the Qing Court is a historical novel of nearly 600,000 Chinese characters by Republican-era writer Xu Xiaotian. With vivid prose and a sweeping scope, it offers a panoramic view of almost three hundred years of change, from the Qing dynasty’s origins to its fall. The novel’s one hundred chapters trace events from Nurhaci’s rise in Jianzhou and his uprising with thirteen suits of ancestral armor to Puyi’s abdication and the closing of the Qing palace. Court i 3Reads8.1Score—Shelves
14. 164 曾 The Story of Zeng Guofan 曾国藩演义 Xu Zheshen徐哲身Historical381k WordsCompleted The Romance of Zeng Guofan follows the tumultuous life of the famed late Qing minister Zeng Guofan, offering a sweeping account of the epic struggle between the Taiping Rebellion and the Qing court. Author Xu Zhesheng uses historical sources as its framework and literature as its soul, vividly portraying Zeng Guofan’s legendary journey from an impoverished scholar to a celebrated minister of the restoration. He founded the Xiang Army and turned the tide, and championed the Self-Strengthening Mov 5Reads8.0Score—Shelves
15. 165 大 Great Wei: My Father Is a Transmigrator Too 大魏：父皇也是穿越者 The Carousel That Runs Eight Days a Week一周上八天的旋转木马Historical287k WordsCompleted Dual transmigration + dimensional domination + dynasty reform + thrilling, ruthless action + technological supremacy + political intrigue + no System, just hoping to bring you all a smile. Lu Ming transmigrated into the least favored “idiot” fourth prince of Great Wei. He planned to keep his head down and grow stronger while waiting for this mess of a country to fall. Then one day, he accidentally discovered “modern cement” in the palace’s northwest corner, and witnessed his father expertly draw 4Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A book list highly recommended by a book lover of ten years! [Sending hearts][Hearts]

16. 166 恒 The Constant Register of Parables 恒籍寓鉴 Xuanyuan Badao轩辕霸道Modern Romance1.2M WordsOngoing Synopsis of The Book of Constant Records: Tales to Awaken the Mind and Discern the Truth With “drawing wisdom from the classics to illuminate the questions of today” as its guiding principle, this book selects over a hundred classic fables and anecdotes from the various schools of philosophy, historical biographies and notes, and folk tradition. These include “The Frog at the Bottom of the Well” from Zhuangzi, “Making Up the Numbers” from Han Feizi, and “The Man from Qi Who Worried the Sky Would 8Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In the late Warring States period, on the land of Qi and Lu, there was a small town called "Shun'an." In this town lived a young man named Liu An, born into poverty but with great ambition, determined to rise above his circumstances and bring honor to his family. But fate seemed to be playing tricks on him: he was repeatedly cheated in business, ostracized by his classmates during his studies, and even when going out on business, he often encountered obstacles due to being late or saying the wrong thing. Liu An was constantly frowning, feeling that his luck was bad and his fate was full of misfortunes, yet he could never find the root of the problem. One day, Liu An heard that deep in the Laoshan Mountains outside the town lived a highly accomplished master, known as "Master Shun'an," who could guide people through their difficulties and resolve their life's predicaments. So he packed his bags, trekked through mountains and rivers, and finally found the master's thatched cottage atop a misty mountain peak. Mr. Shun'an, with his white hair and youthful face, and eyes as clear as a spring, listened to Liu An's lament. Instead of answering directly, he pointed to a stone mill in the courtyard and said, "Look at this stone mill. It turns every day, yet it never gets stuck. Why? Because it follows the millstone's path, neither veering nor lagging, neither too fast nor too slow. Life is the same. Following the natural order leads to success, and success leads to longevity. The reason you keep hitting roadblocks is because you're going against the natural order, trapped in your own stubbornness." Seeing that Liu An seemed to understand but not quite, the man began to explain. Long, long ago, the small town of Shun'an was a chaotic place. People were slow and often late for appointments; they loved to take advantage of others, arguing fiercely over a single coin; gossiping and spreading rumors became their daily pastime; some even lived according to the opinions of others, becoming the very thing they hated in order to please them. It wasn't until a sage named "Shun" descended that the town was given order, and everything returned to normal. The first rule established by the sage was to "always arrive a quarter of an hour early." He said that arriving a quarter of an hour early was not a waste of time, but rather to give oneself ample buffer time. Just as Confucius traveled throughout the states, arriving early at each place to calmly meet the feudal lords, thus receiving courteous treatment everywhere; while those scholars who were always late often missed opportunities due to their impoliteness. Liu An recalled his own business dealings, where being late repeatedly caused his partners to lose trust, ultimately leading to failed deals, and he suddenly understood. The second rule established by the sage was to "have a thick skin, at least you won't suffer humiliation." He cited Su Qin from the Warring States period as an example: Su Qin failed to persuade the King of Qin in his early years, returned home in disgrace, and was ridiculed by his family. However, he did not become discouraged. Instead, he thickened his skin, secluded himself to study diligently, and eventually held the seals of prime minister of six states, returning home in glory. If he had been too thin-skinned and unable to bear the scorn of others, he would not have achieved his later success. To be a good person, one must know how to fight for oneself, remaining neither arrogant nor humble, and never compromising oneself, in order to uphold the bottom line of life. Following this, the Sage established two more rules: "Avoid greed for useless petty gains" and "Do not discuss those who are not present." He said that those who are greedy for small gains will inevitably suffer great losses. When Lü Buwei was a merchant in Handan, he deceived the people of Zhao by greed for small profits. Although he eventually wielded immense power, he lost the hearts of the people and ultimately committed suicide by drinking poison. Those who love to gossip about others behind their backs, like Shao Zhengmao of Lu, who spent his days spreading rumors and misleading people, were ultimately executed by Confucius, suffering disgrace and ruin. Only by not being greedy for small gains and not speaking ill of others can one maintain one's virtue and stay away from disaster. The Sage also taught the people of the small town to "choose a suitable hairstyle and keep their hair clean, fluffy, and neat," and more importantly, to "not live in the opinions of others, but only focus on one's own goals." He cited Tao Yuanming as an example: Tao Yuanming refused to bow to the pressures of officialdom for a meager salary, disregarded public opinion that he had "resigned from office and lived a life of leisure," and focused solely on his idyllic ideals, ultimately leaving behind timeless masterpieces and living a brilliant life. The most precious thing in life is to know oneself, not to be bound by the opinions of others, and to steadfastly move towards one's goals. Furthermore, the sage advised the people to bask in the sun to dispel cold and dampness, and to replenish their energy and blood; to actively care for family and friends, cherishing the few bonds in the world; to change the habit of "answering ten questions for every one asked," and to learn to be cautious in speech and action; and to clean their rooms and organize household chores, just as they would organize their own feelings. These seemingly small habits are actually the foundation of life. Just like King Wen of Zhou, who tidied his courtyard every morning, cultivating his character and ultimately laying the foundation for the Zhou Dynasty's eight-hundred-year reign. "If you can't sweep your own room, how can you sweep the world?" Doing small things well leads to great achievements. After hearing the ten rules, Liu An felt enlightened and immediately asked the master for further explanation. Master Shun'an smiled slightly and continued. After laying the foundation for the small town, Master Shun'an began to teach the people to cultivate their inner selves and elevate their perspective. He said that success in life never depends on external forces, but on one's own mindset and core values. The first principle he proposed was "believe in the power of belief." When Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, started his rebellion in Pei County, he was just a minor official, yet he always believed he could achieve great things. Even when faced with dire straits, he never gave up and ultimately overthrew the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, establishing the Han Dynasty. Believing in oneself is the key to unleashing unlimited potential and making the impossible possible. Next, Master Shun'an said that one should "distinguish right from wrong and increase wisdom." He used Zhuge Liang as an example: Zhuge Liang lived in seclusion in Longzhong, yet he was able to see the big picture, distinguish right from wrong, and ultimately assist Liu Bei in dividing the world into three kingdoms. Without wisdom, a person is like a walking corpse, only able to be led by the nose by others and constantly encountering obstacles. Only by discerning right from wrong and increasing wisdom can one make the right choices at life's crossroads. The Sage also established an ironclad rule: "If a problem can be solved with money, don't use favors." He said that favors are the most precious thing in the world, and once measured by money, they become distorted. Lord Mengchang, who had three thousand retainers, frequently relied on favors, but ultimately was betrayed by them and nearly lost his life; while those who know how to solve problems with money often preserve favors and gain true friendship. Furthermore, the Sage taught the people to "hold grudges and not give someone a second chance to hurt you." He cited Wu Zixu as an example: Wu Zixu's father and brother were killed by King Ping of Chu. He fled to the state of Wu, always remembering his hatred, and eventually led the Wu army to conquer Chu, whipping King Ping's corpse to avenge his blood feud. One must have principles and a bottom line; one should never be indiscriminately tolerant of those who hurt you, otherwise it is cruelty to oneself. The sage also admonished the people to "have fewer worries and not be troubled by unworthy people or things"; to "restrain their urge to argue, and learn to praise and keep quiet"; to "go to bed early and get up early, and not stay up late, so as not to deplete their health"; to "not constantly utter negative words such as 'I have no money' or 'I'm so poor'"; and to "buy flowers for yourself, so that their blooming can nourish you." These principles, seemingly simple, are actually key to cultivating one's inner self. Just like Zhang Liang of old, after achieving fame and success, he did not covet power and position, but secluded himself to cultivate himself, having few worries and thoughts, and ultimately died a peaceful death; while those who complain all day long and are constantly at odds with themselves often exhaust their good fortune early on and achieve nothing. Liu An listened intently and quickly asked the master how to make life completely smooth and free of any obstacles. Mr. Shun'an pointed to the towering ancient tree in the courtyard and slowly said, "Once you have done everything in the past, you must begin to elevate your perspective and transform your own magnetic field. Only then can you have a smooth and successful life." In his later years, Mr. Shun left the small town of Shun'an with five supreme principles. The first principle is "Do not use words like 'absolute' or 'universal'." He said that there is no absolute right or wrong, nor universal truth, in the world. Mencius, the second sage of his time, proposed the theory of "human nature is inherently good," but he never said that "human nature is absolutely good." Instead, he acknowledged the complexity of human nature. Those who constantly use "absolute" in their words are often narrow-minded, stagnant, and ultimately eliminated by the times. The second principle is "Sincerely bless others and rejoice for them." Mr. Shun said that jealousy is the greatest enemy in life. Only by sincerely blessing others can one receive their goodwill and make one's own magnetic field positive. Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, Bao Shuya sincerely blessed Guan Zhong and gave him the position of prime minister, which ultimately made Guan Zhong a famous prime minister for all time and also made himself famous for generations. When you bring joy to others, they will pave the way for you, and your path in life will naturally become wider and wider. The third principle is, "Don't tell others before you succeed." The sage uses King Goujian of Yue as an example: Goujian endured hardship and humiliation, spending ten years building up his strength and ten years learning from his mistakes, never revealing his plan to restore his kingdom to anyone. Ultimately, he destroyed Wu in one fell swoop, wiping away his previous humiliation. If he had revealed his plan early on, he would have faced certain death and never recovered. Man proposes, God disposes; before success, keeping quiet is the safest choice. The fourth principle is, "Spend more time with high-energy people, especially those with happy families; this will also change your luck." The sage says that environment influences people, and your circle determines your destiny. Confucius had three thousand disciples, all of whom were high-energy individuals. Through his interactions with them, Confucius continuously improved himself, eventually becoming a teacher for all ages; while those who spend their days with negative people will only be dragged into the abyss, never to rise again. The final and highest principle is: "Do good deeds, cultivate a peaceful mind, enrich your inner self, and transform your magnetic field." The sage Shun said that the highest realm of life is to seek within and cultivate one's virtue. Emperor Shun, renowned for his filial piety and virtuous deeds, was ultimately abdicated to Emperor Yao, becoming the ruler of the world. A person's magnetic field is never built upon external things, but rather upon the richness of their inner self and the depth of their virtue. With a peaceful mind and virtuous deeds, the magnetic field naturally becomes positive, and life naturally becomes smooth. After listening to Mr. Shun'an's words, Liu An felt enlightened and suddenly understood. He finally realized that the reason he encountered setbacks everywhere was not due to bad luck, but because he went against the natural order, failed to adhere to the rules, failed to cultivate his mindset, and failed to elevate his perspective. Liu An bid farewell to the master and returned home, beginning to change himself little by little according to Mr. Shun'an's wonderful methods. He always arrived 15 minutes early and was never late again; he stopped being greedy for small gains and stopped gossiping about others behind their backs; he no longer lived in the eyes of others, focusing only on his own goals; he spent more time in the sun, went to bed early and got up early, cleaned his room, and sorted out his emotions; he believed in himself, could distinguish right from wrong, solved problems with money, and didn't give others a second chance to hurt him; he restrained his urge to argue, sincerely blessed others, associated with high-energy people, did good deeds, and maintained a peaceful mind. As the days passed, Liu An's life underwent a dramatic transformation. He conducted business with integrity and was no longer cheated; he interacted with people sincerely and kindly, gaining countless friends; he was steady and reliable in his work, earning the appreciation of influential people, and eventually became the lord of Shun'an Town, bringing pride to his family and living the life he wanted. Years later, Liu An became the new "Mr. Shun'an" of Shun'an Town, passing on his life wisdom to future generations, making Shun'an Town a place of prosperity that everyone aspired to. People have finally realized that the best way to live is never to defy fate, but to follow the natural order, abide by the rules, cultivate a positive mindset, elevate one's perspective, and transform one's aura. When things go smoothly, they become successful; when things go smoothly, they endure. When you do your best, life will naturally become smoother and smoother.

17. 167 夏 Xia Dongchun's Reborn Path to Revenge 夏冬春的重生逆袭之路 Tipsy Purple Bamboo紫竹微醺Female-Channel Fanfiction53k WordsCompleted In this life, you had me beaten with the Red-Hot Iron. In the next, I'll pay you back twice over! Watch me use a modern person's way of thinking to turn my fortunes around, step by step, in ancient times and build a life everyone envies. Who knew life in ancient times could be so exciting! 4Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    CCTV recommends good books, haha.

18. 168 重 Reborn as a Porcelain Tycoon 重生后，我成了瓷都大鳄 Tipsy Purple Bamboo紫竹微醺10k WordsCompleted Reborn, I Became a Porcelain Capital Tycoon 2Reads—Score—Shelves
19. 169 鸿 The Hong Geese Fly South 鸿飞归南 Tipsy Purple Bamboo紫竹微醺Ancient Romance80k WordsCompleted Gao Hongfei, daughter of the influential royal clansman Gao Shize, is beautiful, talented, and secretly skilled in martial arts. Free-spirited by nature, she cherishes her independence. To keep her unruly third son, Zhao Kai, in check, Empress Dowager Zheng decrees that he marry Gao Hongfei. To escape the confines of the imperial palace, Gao Hongfei and her father hatch an elaborate scheme: she pretends to be foolish and unruly to refuse the match. Having heard the rumors, Zhao Kai travels incog —Reads—Score—Shelves
20. 170 这 In This Life, I'll Tear That Two-Faced Green Tea Bitch Apart 这一世我要手撕绿茶 Tipsy Purple Bamboo紫竹微醺Modern Romance116k WordsCompleted What could possibly be impossible? Can anyone tell me? In my previous life, I endured humiliation after humiliation. I was kind and gentle, yet an outsider bullied me, and even my fiancé betrayed me. Fortunately, Heaven gave me the chance to live again. How could I let it slip away? Watch the female lead tear that scheming green tea bitch to shreds! 1Reads—Score—Shelves
21. 171 如 Like a Dream: Late Spring 如梦令·暮春 Tipsy Purple Bamboo紫竹微醺20k WordsCompleted Like a Dream: Late Spring 2Reads—Score—Shelves
22. 172 我 All That's Left of Our Midlife Marriage Is Dignity 我们的中年婚姻只剩下体面 Tipsy Purple Bamboo紫竹微醺Marriage & Romance7k WordsCompleted All that's left of our middle-aged marriage is keeping up appearances. 3Reads—Score—Shelves
23. 173 人 When April’s Blossoms Fade from the World 人间四月尽芳菲 Little Ci Xian小辞仙Modern Romance227k WordsOngoing This book features several modern love stories. They are all about love. The way you see others is actually a projection of your inner world. When you become immersed in a novel and form expectations about a character, what lies behind them is a deep longing within yourself, a desire to make up for what you have not achieved. As you read, may you also come to understand your inner self. 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Hope you like it, you can take a look.

24. 174 自 After the Selfish Legitimate Daughter Forced Her Sister to Marry in Her Place, the Concubine’s Daughter Turned the Tables... 自私嫡女逼妹代嫁后，庶妹逆袭了...... Little Ci Xian小辞仙18k WordsCompleted After a selfish legitimate daughter forced her younger sister to marry in her place, the concubine-born sister turned her life around... 13Reads—Score—Shelves
25. 175 皇 Empress Zhu the Sharp-Tongued 皇后朱怼怼 Little Ci Xian小辞仙Ancient Romance21k WordsCompleted Empress Zhu the Quick-Witted 16Reads—Score—Shelves
26. 176 女 The Female Bank President's Last Resort 女行长的穷途末路 Xu Ci珝慈Modern Romance102k WordsCompleted A teller's act of withholding checks toppled the first domino in the bank run at Yunhai City Commercial Bank. Though bank president Ma Yuquan fought desperately to contain the crisis, she ultimately could not counter the enormous fallout from the sudden disappearance of the bank's major shareholder and the head of its controlling rural bank. Ma Yuquan sensed the situation was full of hidden twists and turns, yet never revealed the secret of who she had been with during her brief disappearance, w 928Reads9.3Score123Shelves

    Reader note

    A story with depth and meaning, one that makes you think.

27. 177 许 Xu Zhuoyun on History: The Rise and Fall of Modern Civilization 许倬云说历史：现代文明的成坏 Xu Zhuoyun许倬云Historical167k WordsCompleted How did the dominant civilization that has shaped human life for three centuries arise? What twists and challenges has it faced? Where will humanity go from here? With a sweeping perspective and accessible prose, Xu Zhuoyun paints a grand panorama of modern civilization: from religious revolutions to the rise of nation-states, from the Enlightenment to the Industrial Revolution and the great expansion of modern capitalism. Clear and concise, he traces the formation and development of modern soci 207Reads9.4Score108Shelves

    Reader note

    1125888

28. 178 许 Xu Zhuoyun's Three Books on Civilization: Complete Set of Three 许倬云文明三书：全3册 Xu Zhuoyun许倬云Historical347k WordsCompleted Xu Zhuoyun’s Civilization Trilogy is a major work by the eminent contemporary historian Xu Zhuoyun. In these three books, he offers his first systematic account of the history of civilization. Drawing on seven decades of scholarship and deep reflection, he uses his distinctive “big history” perspective to chart the development of world civilization: looking back at past civilizations (The Great Transformation of Three Thousand Years of Civilization), assessing civilization today (How Did the Wor 260Reads9.4Score107Shelves
29. 179 历 The Pendulum of History 历史的钟摆 Li Jing李菁Historical162k WordsCompleted [Interviews with Leading Scholars] [Multiple Perspectives on History] [Understand China] Through conversational interviews, quickly grasp eight key perspectives for understanding China! Li Jing, former deputy editor-in-chief of Sanlian Lifeweek, speaks with eight top scholars: John King Fairbank, Ezra Vogel, Joseph Esherick, Paul Cohen, Elizabeth Perry, Patricia Ebrey, Ge Zhaoguang, and Xu Zhuoyun... - John King Fairbank: Uses the "impact-response" perspective to explain how modern China respond 19Reads8.3Score—Shelves
30. 180 许 Xu Zhuoyun on America 许倬云说美国 Xu Zhuoyun许倬云Historical180k WordsCompleted After living in the United States for more than sixty years, the renowned Chinese historian Xu Zhuoyun shares his personal experiences. With a keen perspective that combines history and sociology, he vividly brings to life the people, events, places, and things that left a lasting impression on him during his years in America, placing them in their cultural, institutional, and social contexts. He traces the historical roots and circumstances of the times behind these experiences, recounting Amer 155Reads9.4Score103Shelves
31. 181 万 Rivers Through the Ages 万古江河 Xu Zhuoyun许倬云Historical264k WordsCompleted Amid the powerful tides of the existence and transformation of world civilizations, how should China find its place, and how should it view its own history and culture? Where did China come from, where did Chinese culture come from, and where is it headed? This book, Vast Rivers Through the Ages, is the answer offered by the renowned historian Xu Zhuoyun, who holds Chinese culture close to his heart. It is also a history written for Chinese people today, and a biography of the growth and develop 26Reads9.0Score—Shelves
32. 182 许 Xu Zhuoyun on History: The Rise and Fall of Great Powers 许倬云说历史：大国霸业的兴废 Xu Zhuoyun许倬云Historical73k WordsCompleted The rise and fall of a dynasty comes down to one question: Is the core of public power properly placed?, Xu Zhuoyun Drawing on his profound knowledge of both East and West, and of past and present, Professor Xu Zhuoyun uses System theory to examine in depth how great powers throughout history have risen and fallen. The section on Chinese history begins with the Qin and Han empires, outlining how the shifting balance between centralization and decentralization in successive dynasties shaped their 122Reads9.4Score—Shelves
33. 183 说 Speaking of China: A Complex, Ever-Changing Community (2024 Edition) 说中国：一个不断变化的复杂共同体（2024版） Xu Zhuoyun许倬云Historical118k WordsCompleted How did China become China? Is its identity rooted in blood ties, borders, or culture? Swords drew the borders, while food and clothing crossed them; Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism blended; ethnic groups came together… How did these originally diverse and complex cultures gradually converge and shape a country called “China/Huaxia”? And in the future, can this community continue to attract the descendants of its original members, so they will still see it as their spiritual and physical home 30Reads9.2Score—Shelves
34. 184 另 The Other Half of Chinese History 另一半中国史 Gao Honglei高洪雷Historical429k WordsCompleted This book is a landmark work of ethnic history. Since its publication, it has achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. Our publishing house has now secured its exclusive rights. The National Ethnic Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Land and Resources, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Guizhou Province, Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, and other institutions have named it a key recommended title. The Organization De 108Reads8.9Score—Shelves
35. 185 上 Shanghai People Eat Rice Porridge 上海人吃泡饭 The Writer Who Writes in Shanghainese用上海话写作的人Modern Romance627k WordsCompleted In the middle of the night, Wang’s Granny was being beaten so badly she could barely move, and could only call for help. Uncle Huang was still fuming over how she had humiliated him during the day, so angry he couldn’t sleep. He heard what sounded faintly like a cat meowing, but when he listened more closely, he realized it was a cry for help coming from Wang’s Granny’s house. He was about to go save her when his wife grabbed hold of him... 471Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A novel written in Shanghainese about Shanghai stories. Dubbed by the media as an online version of "Blossoms". Currently being published by Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House.

36. 186 异 Day of the Beastly Disguise: A Plan to Reset Humanity’s Knowledge 异兽伪装日：全人类认知清零计划 Dao Yue Qingchen, Who Likes Stegosauruses喜欢五角龙的道月轻尘Urban274k WordsOngoing The Day of the Disguised Beasts: A Plan to Erase Humanity's Understanding follows Lu Ming in an inverted world where “humans disguise themselves as beasts, while beasts infiltrate humanity.” He goes from an “ordinary student kept in the dark” to someone who “awakens supernatural powers, sees through disguises, and uncovers the truth about the world.” At the beginning of the novel, Lu Ming lives in “seemingly ordinary Qingteng City”: he goes to school every day, jokes around with his classmates, 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It seems to stubbornly illuminate one specific star after another in the boundless, abstract night sky. Each star's light may be faint, but their refusal to be swallowed by darkness, and the starry sky they create, are precisely defending a most basic truth.

37. 187 思 The Archaeology of Thought: A Handbook of Conceptual Dissection 思维的考古学：概念解剖工具书 Dao Yue Qingchen, Who Likes Stegosauruses喜欢五角龙的道月轻尘12.6M WordsOngoing This is an unconventional “dictionary,” as well as a precision tool for the mind. It offers no standard answers, only a scalpel called the “Three-Layer Archaeological Method,” used to dissect core concepts that shape our understanding and emotions, even though we use them every day without thinking about them, such as “I,” “love,” “perspective,” and “value.” Starting with outrage over the plot of an anime, readers will follow the author’s deeply thought-provoking and practical guidance to treat 162Reads—Score—Shelves
38. 188 唐 Emperor Xuanzong of Tang 唐玄宗 Meng Man蒙曼Historical318k WordsCompleted Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, the public face of the High Tang golden age. Brilliant and gifted, with grand ambitions, he ushered in the golden age of the Tang dynasty, the Kaiyuan Era. Yet under his rule, the mighty empire also suffered the greatest calamity in Tang history: the An Lushan Rebellion. He was passionate and versatile, and with Yang Guifei he lived out a legendary romance for the ages. But he also watched helplessly as the woman he loved passed away. What grand vision and talents did t 325Reads9.4Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    I have a pact with these books.

39. 189 四 The Secret Histories of the Four Great Beauties 四大美人秘史 Master of Ancient Wu Su Yan古吴素阉主人Historical103k WordsCompleted [The Four Beauties, classical historical romances, complete uncensored public-domain editions, stories of celebrated women in history, ancient tales] This complete collection contains the original, unabridged texts of The Romance of Xishi, The Romance of Wang Zhaojun, The Romance of Yang Guifei, and The Romance of Diaochan. It recounts the turbulent lives of the Four Beauties, whose beauty was said to make fish forget to swim, geese forget to fly, the moon hide, and flowers blush. Together, thes 476Reads9.2Score100Shelves
40. 190 人 A Brief History of Human Torture 人类酷刑简史 Mark P. Donnelly马克·P.唐纳利Historical151k WordsCompleted For thousands of years, humanity has devised many ingenious and cruel ways to inflict pain on its own kind. This tragic yet seemingly universal trait has corroded the civilization humanity strives to achieve. Though we now seem to detest torture, for more than 3,000 years it was part of the laws of all Europe and much of the Far East. A Brief History of Human Torture explores the many forms of punishment, torture, coercion, and torment. It takes readers into the arenas of ancient Rome, medieval 7.2kReads9.6Score1.1kShelves
41. 191 从 From Pangu to Puyi 从盘古到溥仪 Wang Weisheng王尾生Historical3.0M WordsOngoing [A Tomato-style Records of the Grand Historian + a blessing for audiobook listeners + grounded in historical sources + told with the flair of a novel] [Also known as From Pangu's Creation of the World to the Last Emperor's Abdication] A million-character epic spanning from Pangu's creation of the world to the last emperor's abdication. This isn't a mindless power fantasy: it combines historical authenticity with an engaging, nuanced touch. The book tells the whole story of Chinese history, from 615Reads8.3Score130Shelves

    Reader note

    The greatest merit of a historian lies in the coexistence of truth and deep emotion, and this book is no exception. From the myth of Pangu to the decline of Puyi, every page is imbued with reverence for history, yet it consistently rejects the cold indifference and detachment of a textbook. The author is more like a storyteller version of Sima Qian, using colloquial narration and a gentle tone to bring long-forgotten events back to life for the reader.

42. 192 本 At Home in Another Land 本国他乡 Liu Liu Jiang六六江Urban364k WordsCompleted Success doesn't depend entirely on ability. Sometimes, luck plays a much bigger role. If today's successful people had to start their businesses all over again, most of them probably wouldn't dare. This book tells the story of a man with thoroughly mediocre intelligence who defeats one cunning schemer after another. It can't help but make you wonder: between the clever and the foolish, who really has the upper hand? 54Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Read some challenging books.

43. 193 百 Good for Nothing 百无二用 Liu Liu Jiang六六江Urban138k WordsCompleted This book is entirely made up. It does not refer to any person or event. If it happens to offend anyone, that is purely coincidental! If a scholar is useless in every way, what would it mean to be useless in every other way? Is there any truth to the saying that kindness cannot command an army and righteousness cannot manage wealth? Is the scariest thing in the world a thug who knows martial arts? There’s another possibility: a top student in a leadership position. Chen Xu, a core R&D team membe 32Reads—Score—Shelves
44. 194 我 I Don't Have Superpowers 我没有超能力 Liu Liu Jiang六六江Urban226k WordsCompleted This book is entirely fictional. There is no such thing as changing feng shui with traditional Chinese painting. Please don’t take it seriously; just enjoy it for fun! Mr. Liujiang was an ordinary, penniless painter until he met his master, Zhou Mingqi, who taught him a method for adjusting people’s feng shui and improving their fortunes. After five years of poverty, and with his master’s permission, Mr. Liujiang was finally able to use this supernatural ability to get rich. How did Mr. Liujiang 49Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 195 七 The Seven Stars Chronicles of Chivalry 七星侠义录 Haotian Sword浩天剑Urban559k WordsCompleted In a modern city, an evil force is quietly taking root. Seven chivalrous heroes from Jin Yong's stories possess seven ordinary people from different walks of life. Through training, they gain powerful martial arts skills and, guided by a mysterious figure, join forces to fight evil... 50Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The Seven Heroes of Jin Yong are together! Everyone is welcome to come and support them.

46. 196 万 I Can Raise Anything, and Beautiful Women Help Me 万物可养，红颜助我 Ant in the Shadow影子里的蚂蚁Urban1.2M WordsCompleted My new work is here! Come read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support inspires me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! Please leave comments asking for updates, give it a five-star rating, and send a gift if you like, even a free one. Your support keeps me going!!! 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Facepalm][Making a funny face][Cool]

47. 197 开 Exiled from the Start, I Changed My Fate by Grinding for Experience 开局被流放，我靠肝经验逆天改命 Ant in the Shadow影子里的蚂蚁Eastern Fantasy3.7M WordsOngoing From the Start, Exiled to the Frontier: I Defy Fate by Grinding Experience Lu Chen was a top student in the modern world, but after waking from a nap, he found himself reincarnated as a disgraced heir in a world of immortal cultivation. Exiled to the frontier from the start, with his spiritual roots destroyed, he was also saddled with a frail fiancée and a fallen family. He smiled calmly. “Perfect. Let me show you what scientific cultivation looks like.” While others were still struggling throug 2.7kReads—Score240Shelves
48. 198 成 Growing Strong with the Help of Beautiful Women 成长之红颜助我 Ant in the Shadow影子里的蚂蚁Historical2.9M WordsOngoing Beauty helped me succeed, and I repaid her with ten thousand taels of gold… 962Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 199 战 Warring States Strategies: Guiguzi's Game (15 Volumes) 战国纵横：鬼谷子的局（全15册） Han Chuanzi寒川子Historical2.9M WordsCompleted The Chinese version of Game of Thrones, The Stratagems of Guiguzi is a sweeping historical novel. It tells the magnificent tale of Guiguzi, the revered founding master of strategists, military tacticians, political persuaders, yin-yang scholars, and Daoists, as he plots the course of the world! During the middle of the Warring States period, an old man lived in seclusion in a secluded valley on Yunmeng Mountain. He was revered as Guiguzi. For more than two thousand years after his time, strategi 1.3kReads9.5Score323Shelves
50. 200 铁 Iron Wings Beneath the Sky: The Interstellar War for Humanity's Survival 铁翼苍穹：人类存亡的星际之战 Born a Wanderer天生的流浪者Sci-Fi & Apocalypse736k WordsOngoing In 2045, the heavens split open, and an alien civilization swept across Earth like the scythe of Death. Fighter jets fell from the sky, missiles failed, and humanity's vaunted military might became a joke. In the depths of despair, China activated its ultimate contingency plan: the Nantianmen Project. Lin Fan, the Republic's greatest pilot, was forced to leave the cockpit of his J-20 and enter the cockpit of a mecha codenamed “Iron Wing.” The moment the neural link connected, agony tore through 29Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is adapted from CCTV's "Mech Era".

Other lists with Years Have Passed, and I Know Not When the Flowers Fell