diff --git a/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp b/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
index d3299836..f98b02eb 100644
--- a/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
+++ b/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
@@ -810,6 +810,9 @@ bool Epub::generateCoverBmp(bool cropped) const {
 
 std::string Epub::getThumbBmpPath() const { return cachePath + "/thumb_[HEIGHT].bmp"; }
 std::string Epub::getThumbBmpPath(int height) const { return cachePath + "/thumb_" + std::to_string(height) + ".bmp"; }
+std::string Epub::getThumbBmpPath(int width, int height) const {
+  return cachePath + "/thumb_" + std::to_string(width) + "x" + std::to_string(height) + ".bmp";
+}
 
 bool Epub::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
   // Already generated, return true
@@ -902,6 +905,79 @@ bool Epub::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
   return false;
 }
 
+bool Epub::generateThumbBmp(int width, int height) const {
+  if (Storage.exists(getThumbBmpPath(width, height).c_str())) return true;
+
+  if (!bookMetadataCache || !bookMetadataCache->isLoaded()) {
+    LOG_ERR("EBP", "Cannot generate thumb BMP, cache not loaded");
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const auto coverImageHref = bookMetadataCache->coreMetadata.coverItemHref;
+  if (coverImageHref.empty()) {
+    LOG_DBG("EBP", "No known cover image for thumbnail");
+  } else {
+    const auto coverTempPath = getCachePath() + "/.cover";
+    FsFile coverTemp;
+    if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("EBP", coverTempPath, coverTemp)) return false;
+    if (!readItemContentsToStream(coverImageHref, coverTemp, 1024)) {
+      coverTemp.close();
+      Storage.remove(coverTempPath.c_str());
+      return false;
+    }
+    coverTemp.close();
+
+    if (!Storage.openFileForRead("EBP", coverTempPath, coverTemp)) {
+      Storage.remove(coverTempPath.c_str());
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    const auto detectedFormat = detectCoverImageFormat(coverTemp);
+    bool success = false;
+    FsFile thumbBmp;
+    if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("EBP", getThumbBmpPath(width, height), thumbBmp)) {
+      coverTemp.close();
+      Storage.remove(coverTempPath.c_str());
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    if (detectedFormat == CoverImageFormat::Jpeg) {
+      LOG_DBG("EBP", "Generating %dx%d thumb BMP from JPEG cover image", width, height);
+      success = JpegToBmpConverter::jpegFileTo1BitBmpStreamWithSize(coverTemp, thumbBmp, width, height);
+    } else if (detectedFormat == CoverImageFormat::Png) {
+      LOG_DBG("EBP", "Generating %dx%d thumb BMP from PNG cover image", width, height);
+      success = PngToBmpConverter::pngFileTo1BitBmpStreamWithSize(coverTemp, thumbBmp, width, height);
+    } else {
+      LOG_DBG("EBP", "Cover image format unknown, attempting JPEG then PNG: %s", coverImageHref.c_str());
+      success = JpegToBmpConverter::jpegFileTo1BitBmpStreamWithSize(coverTemp, thumbBmp, width, height);
+      if (!success) {
+        thumbBmp.close();
+        Storage.remove(getThumbBmpPath(width, height).c_str());
+        if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("EBP", getThumbBmpPath(width, height), thumbBmp)) {
+          coverTemp.close();
+          Storage.remove(coverTempPath.c_str());
+          return false;
+        }
+        coverTemp.seek(0);
+        success = PngToBmpConverter::pngFileTo1BitBmpStreamWithSize(coverTemp, thumbBmp, width, height);
+      }
+    }
+
+    coverTemp.close();
+    thumbBmp.close();
+    Storage.remove(coverTempPath.c_str());
+    if (!success) Storage.remove(getThumbBmpPath(width, height).c_str());
+    LOG_DBG("EBP", "Generated %dx%d thumb BMP from cover image, success: %s", width, height, success ? "yes" : "no");
+    return success;
+  }
+
+  // Write empty sentinel to avoid repeated generation attempts
+  FsFile thumbBmp;
+  Storage.openFileForWrite("EBP", getThumbBmpPath(width, height), thumbBmp);
+  thumbBmp.close();
+  return false;
+}
+
 uint8_t* Epub::readItemContentsToBytes(const std::string& itemHref, size_t* size, const bool trailingNullByte) const {
   if (itemHref.empty()) {
     LOG_DBG("EBP", "Failed to read item, empty href");
diff --git a/lib/Epub/Epub.h b/lib/Epub/Epub.h
index d127f2f2..15b77d77 100644
--- a/lib/Epub/Epub.h
+++ b/lib/Epub/Epub.h
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ class Epub {
   bool generateCoverBmp(bool cropped = false) const;
   std::string getThumbBmpPath() const;
   std::string getThumbBmpPath(int height) const;
+  std::string getThumbBmpPath(int width, int height) const;
   bool generateThumbBmp(int height) const;
+  bool generateThumbBmp(int width, int height) const;
   uint8_t* readItemContentsToBytes(const std::string& itemHref, size_t* size = nullptr,
                                    bool trailingNullByte = false) const;
   bool readItemContentsToStream(const std::string& itemHref, Print& out, size_t chunkSize) const;
diff --git a/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.cpp b/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.cpp
index 06f0c2db..5697fc57 100644
--- a/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.cpp
+++ b/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.cpp
@@ -1482,6 +1482,61 @@ void GfxRenderer::drawIcon(const uint8_t bitmap[], const int x, const int y, con
   display.drawImageTransparent(bitmap, y, getScreenWidth() - width - x, height, width);
 }
 
+void GfxRenderer::drawIconInverted(const uint8_t bitmap[], const int x, const int y, const int width,
+                                   const int height) const {
+  // Portrait-mode coordinate transform (x↔y swap), matching drawIcon.
+  // OR with ~srcByte sets framebuffer bits to 1 (white) wherever the icon
+  // bitmap is 0 (black) — produces a white icon on a black background.
+  const int physX = y;
+  const int physY = getScreenWidth() - width - x;
+  const int imgW = height;  // dimensions swapped by portrait transform
+  const int imgH = width;
+  const int srcStride = (imgW + 7) / 8;
+
+  if (physX + imgW <= 0 || physX >= static_cast<int>(panelWidthBytes) * 8) return;
+  if (physY + imgH <= 0 || physY >= static_cast<int>(panelHeight)) return;
+
+  const int baseByte = (physX >= 0) ? (physX >> 3) : -(((-physX) + 7) >> 3);
+  const int bitShift = ((physX % 8) + 8) % 8;
+
+  const int trail = srcStride * 8 - imgW;
+  const uint8_t trailMask = static_cast<uint8_t>(0xFF << trail);
+  const int lastCol = srcStride - 1;
+
+  for (int row = 0; row < imgH; ++row) {
+    const int destY = physY + row;
+    if (destY < 0 || destY >= static_cast<int>(panelHeight)) continue;
+    const int rowBase = destY * static_cast<int>(panelWidthBytes);
+    const int srcOffset = row * srcStride;
+
+    if (bitShift == 0) {
+      for (int col = 0; col < srcStride; ++col) {
+        const int dst = baseByte + col;
+        if (dst < 0) continue;
+        if (dst >= static_cast<int>(panelWidthBytes)) break;
+        uint8_t inv = ~bitmap[srcOffset + col];
+        if (col == lastCol && trail > 0) inv &= trailMask;
+        frameBuffer[rowBase + dst] |= inv;
+      }
+    } else {
+      const int rsh = bitShift;
+      const int lsh = 8 - bitShift;
+      for (int col = 0; col < srcStride; ++col) {
+        uint8_t inv = ~bitmap[srcOffset + col];
+        if (col == lastCol && trail > 0) inv &= trailMask;
+        const int dstHi = baseByte + col;
+        const int dstLo = dstHi + 1;
+        if (dstHi >= 0 && dstHi < static_cast<int>(panelWidthBytes)) {
+          frameBuffer[rowBase + dstHi] |= static_cast<uint8_t>(inv >> rsh);
+        }
+        if (dstLo >= 0 && dstLo < static_cast<int>(panelWidthBytes)) {
+          frameBuffer[rowBase + dstLo] |= static_cast<uint8_t>(inv << lsh);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 void GfxRenderer::drawBitmap(const Bitmap& bitmap, const int x, const int y, const int maxWidth, const int maxHeight,
                              const float cropX, const float cropY) const {
   if (fontCacheManager_ && fontCacheManager_->isScanning()) return;
@@ -1495,8 +1550,6 @@ void GfxRenderer::drawBitmap(const Bitmap& bitmap, const int x, const int y, con
   bool isScaled = false;
   int cropPixX = std::floor(bitmap.getWidth() * cropX / 2.0f);
   int cropPixY = std::floor(bitmap.getHeight() * cropY / 2.0f);
-  LOG_DBG("GFX", "Cropping %dx%d by %dx%d pix, is %s", bitmap.getWidth(), bitmap.getHeight(), cropPixX, cropPixY,
-          bitmap.isTopDown() ? "top-down" : "bottom-up");
 
   const float croppedWidth = (1.0f - cropX) * static_cast<float>(bitmap.getWidth());
   const float croppedHeight = (1.0f - cropY) * static_cast<float>(bitmap.getHeight());
@@ -1518,7 +1571,6 @@ void GfxRenderer::drawBitmap(const Bitmap& bitmap, const int x, const int y, con
     scale = fitScale;
     isScaled = true;
   }
-  LOG_DBG("GFX", "Scaling by %f - %s", scale, isScaled ? "scaled" : "not scaled");
 
   // Calculate output row size (2 bits per pixel, packed into bytes)
   // IMPORTANT: Use int, not uint8_t, to avoid overflow for images > 1020 pixels wide
@@ -1595,13 +1647,19 @@ void GfxRenderer::drawBitmap1Bit(const Bitmap& bitmap, const int x, const int y,
                                  const int maxHeight) const {
   float scale = 1.0f;
   bool isScaled = false;
-  if (maxWidth > 0 && bitmap.getWidth() > maxWidth) {
-    scale = static_cast<float>(maxWidth) / static_cast<float>(bitmap.getWidth());
-    isScaled = true;
+  if (maxWidth > 0) {
+    const float s = static_cast<float>(maxWidth) / static_cast<float>(bitmap.getWidth());
+    if (s != 1.0f) {
+      scale = s;
+      isScaled = true;
+    }
   }
-  if (maxHeight > 0 && bitmap.getHeight() > maxHeight) {
-    scale = std::min(scale, static_cast<float>(maxHeight) / static_cast<float>(bitmap.getHeight()));
-    isScaled = true;
+  if (maxHeight > 0) {
+    const float s = static_cast<float>(maxHeight) / static_cast<float>(bitmap.getHeight());
+    if (s < scale || (scale == 1.0f && s != 1.0f)) {
+      scale = s;
+      isScaled = (scale != 1.0f);
+    }
   }
 
   // For 1-bit BMP, output is still 2-bit packed (for consistency with readNextRow)
diff --git a/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.h b/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.h
index 76a536fe..0a277dfa 100644
--- a/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.h
+++ b/lib/GfxRenderer/GfxRenderer.h
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ class GfxRenderer {
                        bool roundBottomLeft, bool roundBottomRight, Color color) const;
   void drawImage(const uint8_t bitmap[], int x, int y, int width, int height) const;
   void drawIcon(const uint8_t bitmap[], int x, int y, int width, int height) const;
+  void drawIconInverted(const uint8_t bitmap[], int x, int y, int width, int height) const;
   void drawBitmap(const Bitmap& bitmap, int x, int y, int maxWidth, int maxHeight, float cropX = 0,
                   float cropY = 0) const;
   void drawBitmap1Bit(const Bitmap& bitmap, int x, int y, int maxWidth, int maxHeight) const;
diff --git a/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml b/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml
index ba744332..0dbe665e 100644
--- a/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml
+++ b/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml
@@ -326,6 +326,7 @@ STR_UI_THEME: "UI Theme"
 STR_THEME_CLASSIC: "Classic"
 STR_THEME_LYRA: "Lyra"
 STR_THEME_LYRA_EXTENDED: "Lyra Extended"
+STR_THEME_LYRA_CAROUSEL: "Lyra Carousel"
 STR_SUNLIGHT_FADING_FIX: "Sunlight Fading Fix"
 STR_REMAP_FRONT_BUTTONS: "Remap Front Buttons"
 STR_OPDS_BROWSER: "OPDS Browser"
diff --git a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp
index a1f8f8a6..5ccf5bf2 100644
--- a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp
+++ b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.cpp
@@ -262,62 +262,63 @@ bool Xtc::generateCoverBmp() const {
 
 std::string Xtc::getThumbBmpPath() const { return cachePath + "/thumb_[HEIGHT].bmp"; }
 std::string Xtc::getThumbBmpPath(int height) const { return cachePath + "/thumb_" + std::to_string(height) + ".bmp"; }
+std::string Xtc::getThumbBmpPath(int width, int height) const {
+  return cachePath + "/thumb_" + std::to_string(width) + "x" + std::to_string(height) + ".bmp";
+}
 
 bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
-  // Already generated
-  if (Storage.exists(getThumbBmpPath(height).c_str())) {
-    return true;
-  }
+  const std::string destPath = getThumbBmpPath(height);
+  if (Storage.exists(destPath.c_str())) return true;
+  const int width = static_cast<int>(height * 0.6f);
+  if (!generateThumbBmp(width, height)) return false;
+  const std::string srcPath = getThumbBmpPath(width, height);
+  Storage.rename(srcPath.c_str(), destPath.c_str());
+  return Storage.exists(destPath.c_str());
+}
+
+bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int width, int height) const {
+  if (Storage.exists(getThumbBmpPath(width, height).c_str())) return true;
 
   if (!loaded || !parser) {
     LOG_ERR("XTC", "Cannot generate thumb BMP, file not loaded");
     return false;
   }
-
   if (parser->getPageCount() == 0) {
     LOG_ERR("XTC", "No pages in XTC file");
     return false;
   }
 
-  // Setup cache directory
   setupCacheDir();
 
-  // Get first page info for cover
   xtc::PageInfo pageInfo;
   if (!parser->getPageInfo(0, pageInfo)) {
     LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to get first page info");
     return false;
   }
 
-  // Get bit depth
   const uint8_t bitDepth = parser->getBitDepth();
+  const int THUMB_TARGET_WIDTH = width;
+  const int THUMB_TARGET_HEIGHT = height;
 
-  // Calculate target dimensions for thumbnail (fit within 240x400 Continue Reading card)
-  int THUMB_TARGET_WIDTH = height * 0.6;
-  int THUMB_TARGET_HEIGHT = height;
-
-  // Calculate scale factor
   float scaleX = static_cast<float>(THUMB_TARGET_WIDTH) / pageInfo.width;
   float scaleY = static_cast<float>(THUMB_TARGET_HEIGHT) / pageInfo.height;
-  float scale = (scaleX > scaleY) ? scaleX : scaleY;  // for cropping
+  float scale = (scaleX < scaleY) ? scaleX : scaleY;
 
-  // Only scale down, never up
   if (scale >= 1.0f) {
-    // Page is already small enough, just use cover.bmp
-    // Copy cover.bmp to thumb.bmp
     if (generateCoverBmp()) {
       FsFile src, dst;
       if (Storage.openFileForRead("XTC", getCoverBmpPath(), src)) {
-        if (Storage.openFileForWrite("XTC", getThumbBmpPath(height), dst)) {
+        if (Storage.openFileForWrite("XTC", getThumbBmpPath(width, height), dst)) {
           uint8_t buffer[512];
           while (src.available()) {
             size_t bytesRead = src.read(buffer, sizeof(buffer));
             dst.write(buffer, bytesRead);
           }
+          dst.close();
         }
+        src.close();
       }
-      LOG_DBG("XTC", "Copied cover to thumb (no scaling needed)");
-      return Storage.exists(getThumbBmpPath(height).c_str());
+      return Storage.exists(getThumbBmpPath(width, height).c_str());
     }
     return false;
   }
@@ -325,10 +326,6 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
   uint16_t thumbWidth = static_cast<uint16_t>(pageInfo.width * scale);
   uint16_t thumbHeight = static_cast<uint16_t>(pageInfo.height * scale);
 
-  LOG_DBG("XTC", "Generating thumb BMP: %dx%d -> %dx%d (scale: %.3f)", pageInfo.width, pageInfo.height, thumbWidth,
-          thumbHeight, scale);
-
-  // Allocate buffer for page data
   size_t bitmapSize;
   if (bitDepth == 2) {
     bitmapSize = ((static_cast<size_t>(pageInfo.width) * pageInfo.height + 7) / 8) * 2;
@@ -341,7 +338,6 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
     return false;
   }
 
-  // Load first page (cover)
   size_t bytesRead = const_cast<xtc::XtcParser*>(parser.get())->loadPage(0, pageBuffer, bitmapSize);
   if (bytesRead == 0) {
     LOG_ERR("XTC", "Failed to load cover page for thumb");
@@ -349,32 +345,27 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
     return false;
   }
 
-  // Create thumbnail BMP file - use 1-bit format for fast home screen rendering (no gray passes)
+  const std::string thumbPath = getThumbBmpPath(width, height);
   FsFile thumbBmp;
-  if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("XTC", getThumbBmpPath(height), thumbBmp)) {
-    LOG_DBG("XTC", "Failed to create thumb BMP file");
+  if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("XTC", thumbPath, thumbBmp)) {
     free(pageBuffer);
     return false;
   }
 
-  // Write 1-bit BMP header (top-down row order)
+  const uint32_t rowSize = (thumbWidth + 31) / 32 * 4;
   BmpHeader bmpHeader;
   createBmpHeader(&bmpHeader, thumbWidth, thumbHeight, BmpRowOrder::TopDown);
-  thumbBmp.write(reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t*>(&bmpHeader), sizeof(bmpHeader));
+  thumbBmp.write(reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t*>(&bmpHeader), sizeof(BmpHeader));
 
-  const uint32_t rowSize = (thumbWidth + 31) / 32 * 4;
-
-  // Allocate row buffer for 1-bit output
   uint8_t* rowBuffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(malloc(rowSize));
   if (!rowBuffer) {
     free(pageBuffer);
+    thumbBmp.close();
+    Storage.remove(thumbPath.c_str());
     return false;
   }
 
-  // Fixed-point scale factor (16.16)
   uint32_t scaleInv_fp = static_cast<uint32_t>(65536.0f / scale);
-
-  // Pre-calculate plane info for 2-bit mode
   const size_t planeSize = (bitDepth == 2) ? ((static_cast<size_t>(pageInfo.width) * pageInfo.height + 7) / 8) : 0;
   const uint8_t* plane1 = (bitDepth == 2) ? pageBuffer : nullptr;
   const uint8_t* plane2 = (bitDepth == 2) ? pageBuffer + planeSize : nullptr;
@@ -382,9 +373,7 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
   const size_t srcRowBytes = (bitDepth == 1) ? ((pageInfo.width + 7) / 8) : 0;
 
   for (uint16_t dstY = 0; dstY < thumbHeight; dstY++) {
-    memset(rowBuffer, 0xFF, rowSize);  // Start with all white (bit 1)
-
-    // Calculate source Y range with bounds checking
+    memset(rowBuffer, 0xFF, rowSize);
     uint32_t srcYStart = (static_cast<uint32_t>(dstY) * scaleInv_fp) >> 16;
     uint32_t srcYEnd = (static_cast<uint32_t>(dstY + 1) * scaleInv_fp) >> 16;
     if (srcYStart >= pageInfo.height) srcYStart = pageInfo.height - 1;
@@ -393,7 +382,6 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
     if (srcYEnd > pageInfo.height) srcYEnd = pageInfo.height;
 
     for (uint16_t dstX = 0; dstX < thumbWidth; dstX++) {
-      // Calculate source X range with bounds checking
       uint32_t srcXStart = (static_cast<uint32_t>(dstX) * scaleInv_fp) >> 16;
       uint32_t srcXEnd = (static_cast<uint32_t>(dstX + 1) * scaleInv_fp) >> 16;
       if (srcXStart >= pageInfo.width) srcXStart = pageInfo.width - 1;
@@ -401,82 +389,56 @@ bool Xtc::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
       if (srcXEnd <= srcXStart) srcXEnd = srcXStart + 1;
       if (srcXEnd > pageInfo.width) srcXEnd = pageInfo.width;
 
-      // Area averaging: sum grayscale values (0-255 range)
-      uint32_t graySum = 0;
-      uint32_t totalCount = 0;
-
+      uint32_t graySum = 0, totalCount = 0;
       for (uint32_t srcY = srcYStart; srcY < srcYEnd && srcY < pageInfo.height; srcY++) {
         for (uint32_t srcX = srcXStart; srcX < srcXEnd && srcX < pageInfo.width; srcX++) {
-          uint8_t grayValue = 255;  // Default: white
-
+          uint8_t grayValue = 255;
           if (bitDepth == 2) {
-            // XTH 2-bit mode: pixel value 0-3
-            // Bounds check for column index
             if (srcX < pageInfo.width) {
               const size_t colIndex = pageInfo.width - 1 - srcX;
               const size_t byteInCol = srcY / 8;
               const size_t bitInByte = 7 - (srcY % 8);
               const size_t byteOffset = colIndex * colBytes + byteInCol;
-              // Bounds check for buffer access
               if (byteOffset < planeSize) {
                 const uint8_t bit1 = (plane1[byteOffset] >> bitInByte) & 1;
                 const uint8_t bit2 = (plane2[byteOffset] >> bitInByte) & 1;
-                const uint8_t pixelValue = (bit1 << 1) | bit2;
-                // Convert 2-bit (0-3) to grayscale: 0=black, 3=white
-                // pixelValue: 0=white, 1=light gray, 2=dark gray, 3=black (XTC polarity)
-                grayValue = (3 - pixelValue) * 85;  // 0->255, 1->170, 2->85, 3->0
+                grayValue = (3 - ((bit1 << 1) | bit2)) * 85;
               }
             }
           } else {
-            // 1-bit mode
             const size_t byteIdx = srcY * srcRowBytes + srcX / 8;
             const size_t bitIdx = 7 - (srcX % 8);
-            // Bounds check for buffer access
             if (byteIdx < bitmapSize) {
-              const uint8_t pixelBit = (pageBuffer[byteIdx] >> bitIdx) & 1;
-              // XTC 1-bit polarity: 0=black, 1=white (same as BMP palette)
-              grayValue = pixelBit ? 255 : 0;
+              grayValue = ((pageBuffer[byteIdx] >> bitIdx) & 1) ? 255 : 0;
             }
           }
-
           graySum += grayValue;
           totalCount++;
         }
       }
 
-      // Calculate average grayscale and quantize to 1-bit with noise dithering
       uint8_t avgGray = (totalCount > 0) ? static_cast<uint8_t>(graySum / totalCount) : 255;
-
-      // Hash-based noise dithering for 1-bit output
       uint32_t hash = static_cast<uint32_t>(dstX) * 374761393u + static_cast<uint32_t>(dstY) * 668265263u;
       hash = (hash ^ (hash >> 13)) * 1274126177u;
-      const int threshold = static_cast<int>(hash >> 24);           // 0-255
-      const int adjustedThreshold = 128 + ((threshold - 128) / 2);  // Range: 64-192
-
-      // Quantize to 1-bit: 0=black, 1=white
+      const int threshold = static_cast<int>(hash >> 24);
+      const int adjustedThreshold = 128 + ((threshold - 128) / 2);
       uint8_t oneBit = (avgGray >= adjustedThreshold) ? 1 : 0;
-
-      // Pack 1-bit value into row buffer (MSB first, 8 pixels per byte)
       const size_t byteIndex = dstX / 8;
       const size_t bitOffset = 7 - (dstX % 8);
-      // Bounds check for row buffer access
       if (byteIndex < rowSize) {
-        if (oneBit) {
-          rowBuffer[byteIndex] |= (1 << bitOffset);  // Set bit for white
-        } else {
-          rowBuffer[byteIndex] &= ~(1 << bitOffset);  // Clear bit for black
-        }
+        if (oneBit)
+          rowBuffer[byteIndex] |= (1 << bitOffset);
+        else
+          rowBuffer[byteIndex] &= ~(1 << bitOffset);
       }
     }
-
-    // Write row (already padded to 4-byte boundary by rowSize)
     thumbBmp.write(rowBuffer, rowSize);
   }
 
   free(rowBuffer);
+  thumbBmp.close();
   free(pageBuffer);
-
-  LOG_DBG("XTC", "Generated thumb BMP (%dx%d): %s", thumbWidth, thumbHeight, getThumbBmpPath(height).c_str());
+  LOG_DBG("XTC", "Generated thumb BMP (%dx%d): %s", thumbWidth, thumbHeight, getThumbBmpPath(width, height).c_str());
   return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h
index 93f911fc..adf6e53b 100644
--- a/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h
+++ b/lib/Xtc/Xtc.h
@@ -66,7 +66,9 @@ class Xtc {
   // Thumbnail support (for Continue Reading card)
   std::string getThumbBmpPath() const;
   std::string getThumbBmpPath(int height) const;
+  std::string getThumbBmpPath(int width, int height) const;
   bool generateThumbBmp(int height) const;
+  bool generateThumbBmp(int width, int height) const;
 
   // Page access
   uint32_t getPageCount() const;
diff --git a/src/CrossPointSettings.h b/src/CrossPointSettings.h
index 68e091f7..a3de775b 100644
--- a/src/CrossPointSettings.h
+++ b/src/CrossPointSettings.h
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class CrossPointSettings {
   enum HIDE_BATTERY_PERCENTAGE { HIDE_NEVER = 0, HIDE_READER = 1, HIDE_ALWAYS = 2, HIDE_BATTERY_PERCENTAGE_COUNT };
 
   // UI Theme
-  enum UI_THEME { CLASSIC = 0, LYRA = 1, LYRA_3_COVERS = 2 };
+  enum UI_THEME { CLASSIC = 0, LYRA = 1, LYRA_3_COVERS = 2, LYRA_CAROUSEL = 3 };
 
   // Image rendering in EPUB reader
   enum IMAGE_RENDERING { IMAGES_DISPLAY = 0, IMAGES_PLACEHOLDER = 1, IMAGES_SUPPRESS = 2, IMAGE_RENDERING_COUNT };
diff --git a/src/SettingsList.h b/src/SettingsList.h
index ab6e22f2..495ebfd7 100644
--- a/src/SettingsList.h
+++ b/src/SettingsList.h
@@ -79,8 +79,9 @@ inline const std::vector<SettingInfo> list = {
     SettingInfo::Toggle(StrId::STR_SUNLIGHT_FADING_FIX, &CrossPointSettings::fadingFix, "fadingFix",
                         StrId::STR_CAT_DISPLAY),
     SettingInfo::Enum(StrId::STR_UI_THEME, &CrossPointSettings::uiTheme,
-                      {StrId::STR_THEME_CLASSIC, StrId::STR_THEME_LYRA, StrId::STR_THEME_LYRA_EXTENDED}, "uiTheme",
-                      StrId::STR_CAT_DISPLAY),
+                      {StrId::STR_THEME_CLASSIC, StrId::STR_THEME_LYRA, StrId::STR_THEME_LYRA_EXTENDED,
+                       StrId::STR_THEME_LYRA_CAROUSEL},
+                      "uiTheme", StrId::STR_CAT_DISPLAY),
 
     // --- Reader ---
     // General reader settings
diff --git a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
index 858341a8..f8c97d97 100644
--- a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
@@ -6,11 +6,15 @@
 #include <GfxRenderer.h>
 #include <HalStorage.h>
 #include <I18n.h>
+#include <JpegToBmpConverter.h>
+#include <Logging.h>
+#include <PngToBmpConverter.h>
 #include <Utf8.h>
 #include <Xtc.h>
 
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cstring>
+#include <string>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "CrossPointSettings.h"
@@ -19,10 +23,43 @@
 #include "MappedInputManager.h"
 #include "OpdsServerStore.h"
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
+#include "activities/reader/ReaderActivity.h"
 #include "components/UITheme.h"
 #include "fontIds.h"
 
 namespace {
+// Convert a sidecar JPG/PNG cover to a 1-bit BMP in the cache and return the BMP path, or "" on failure.
+// fileName is the basename of the output file (without directory), e.g. "340x540.bmp" or "400.bmp".
+std::string convertSidecarToBmp(const std::string& bookPath, const std::string& sidecarPath, int width, int height,
+                                const std::string& fileName) {
+  const std::string cacheDir = "/.crosspoint/sidecar_" + std::to_string(std::hash<std::string>{}(bookPath));
+  Storage.mkdir(cacheDir.c_str());
+  const std::string bmpPath = cacheDir + "/" + fileName;
+  if (Storage.exists(bmpPath.c_str())) return bmpPath;
+
+  FsFile src;
+  if (!Storage.openFileForRead("HOME", sidecarPath, src)) return "";
+  FsFile dst;
+  if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("HOME", bmpPath, dst)) {
+    src.close();
+    return "";
+  }
+
+  bool ok = false;
+  if (FsHelpers::hasJpgExtension(sidecarPath)) {
+    ok = JpegToBmpConverter::jpegFileTo1BitBmpStreamWithSize(src, dst, width, height);
+  } else if (FsHelpers::hasPngExtension(sidecarPath)) {
+    ok = PngToBmpConverter::pngFileTo1BitBmpStreamWithSize(src, dst, width, height);
+  }
+  src.close();
+  dst.close();
+  if (!ok) {
+    Storage.remove(bmpPath.c_str());
+    return "";
+  }
+  return bmpPath;
+}
+
 constexpr int CLASSIC_MIN_RECENT_TILE_HEIGHT = 280;
 constexpr int LYRA_MIN_RECENT_TILE_HEIGHT = 170;
 constexpr int LYRA_3_COVERS_MIN_RECENT_TILE_HEIGHT = 200;
@@ -139,6 +176,24 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentBooks(int maxBooks) {
       continue;
     }
 
+    // Check for a sidecar cover — takes priority over embedded cover.
+    // Also catches books registered before sidecar support (empty coverBmpPath).
+    const std::string sidecar = ReaderActivity::sidecarCoverPath(book.path);
+    if (!sidecar.empty()) {
+      const bool sidecarAlreadyStored =
+          book.coverBmpPath == sidecar || book.coverBmpPath.find("sidecar_") != std::string::npos;
+      LOG_DBG("HOME", "Sidecar for %s: stored=%s alreadyStored=%d", book.path.c_str(), book.coverBmpPath.c_str(),
+              sidecarAlreadyStored ? 1 : 0);
+      if (!sidecarAlreadyStored) {
+        LOG_DBG("HOME", "Updating coverBmpPath to sidecar: %s", sidecar.c_str());
+        RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, sidecar);
+        RecentBook updated = book;
+        updated.coverBmpPath = sidecar;
+        recentBooks.push_back(updated);
+        continue;
+      }
+    }
+
     recentBooks.push_back(book);
   }
 }
@@ -146,34 +201,90 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentBooks(int maxBooks) {
 void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
   recentsLoading = true;
 
+  const auto thumbSizes = GUI.getCoverThumbSizes(coverHeight);
+
   for (; nextRecentCoverIndex < recentBooks.size(); nextRecentCoverIndex++) {
     RecentBook& book = recentBooks[nextRecentCoverIndex];
     if (!book.coverBmpPath.empty()) {
-      std::string coverPath = UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(book.coverBmpPath, coverHeight);
-      if (!Storage.exists(coverPath.c_str())) {
-        // If epub, try to load the metadata for title/author and cover
-        if (FsHelpers::hasEpubExtension(book.path)) {
-          Epub epub(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
-          // Skip loading css since we only need metadata here
-          epub.load(false, true);
+      // Sidecar covers (JPG/PNG paths stored directly) must be converted to BMP thumbnails
+      // and the stored coverBmpPath updated to the cache path with [WIDTH]x[HEIGHT] placeholder.
+      const bool isSidecar =
+          FsHelpers::hasJpgExtension(book.coverBmpPath) || FsHelpers::hasPngExtension(book.coverBmpPath);
+      if (isSidecar) {
+        LOG_DBG("HOME", "Converting sidecar %s for book %s", book.coverBmpPath.c_str(), book.path.c_str());
+        if (!Storage.exists(book.coverBmpPath.c_str())) {
+          LOG_ERR("HOME", "Sidecar file missing: %s", book.coverBmpPath.c_str());
+          RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, "");
+          book.coverBmpPath = "";
+        } else {
+          // Free the carousel frame cache before converting — PNG/JPEG decode needs ~42 KB
+          // contiguous heap, which won't be available while the 48 KB frame buffer is held.
+          // The cache will be rebuilt on the next render.
+          UITheme::getInstance().getMutableTheme().invalidateFrameCache();
 
-          // Try to generate thumbnail image for Continue Reading card
-          bool success = epub.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
-          if (!success) {
-            RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, "");
-            book.coverBmpPath = "";
+          const std::string cacheBase = "/.crosspoint/sidecar_" + std::to_string(std::hash<std::string>{}(book.path));
+          const std::string placeholder = cacheBase + "/[HEIGHT].bmp";
+          bool success = true;
+          if (!thumbSizes.empty()) {
+            for (const auto& sz : thumbSizes) {
+              const std::string name = std::to_string(sz.first) + "x" + std::to_string(sz.second) + ".bmp";
+              if (convertSidecarToBmp(book.path, book.coverBmpPath, sz.first, sz.second, name).empty()) {
+                success = false;
+                break;
+              }
+            }
+          } else {
+            const int w = coverHeight * 6 / 10;
+            const std::string name = std::to_string(coverHeight) + ".bmp";
+            if (convertSidecarToBmp(book.path, book.coverBmpPath, w, coverHeight, name).empty()) success = false;
+          }
+          if (success) {
+            LOG_DBG("HOME", "Sidecar converted, placeholder: %s", placeholder.c_str());
+            RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, placeholder);
+            book.coverBmpPath = placeholder;
+          } else {
+            LOG_ERR("HOME", "Failed to convert sidecar cover for %s", book.path.c_str());
+            // Don't permanently clear the path on failure — keep the raw sidecar path
+            // so the next home visit can retry (e.g. after more memory becomes available).
           }
           coverRendered = false;
           nextRecentCoverIndex++;
           recentsLoading = false;
           requestUpdate();
           return;
-        } else if (FsHelpers::hasXtcExtension(book.path)) {
-          // Handle XTC file
-          Xtc xtc(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
-          if (xtc.load()) {
-            // Try to generate thumbnail image for Continue Reading card
-            bool success = xtc.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (!book.coverBmpPath.empty()) {
+        if (!thumbSizes.empty()) {
+          // Theme uses WxH thumbnails — check which are missing and generate
+          bool anyMissing = false;
+          for (const auto& sz : thumbSizes) {
+            const std::string path = UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(book.coverBmpPath, sz.first, sz.second);
+            if (!Storage.exists(path.c_str())) {
+              anyMissing = true;
+              break;
+            }
+          }
+
+          if (anyMissing) {
+            bool success = true;
+            if (FsHelpers::hasEpubExtension(book.path)) {
+              Epub epub(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
+              epub.load(false, true);
+              for (const auto& sz : thumbSizes) {
+                const std::string path = UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(book.coverBmpPath, sz.first, sz.second);
+                if (!Storage.exists(path.c_str())) success = epub.generateThumbBmp(sz.first, sz.second) && success;
+              }
+            } else if (FsHelpers::hasXtcExtension(book.path)) {
+              Xtc xtc(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
+              if (xtc.load()) {
+                for (const auto& sz : thumbSizes) {
+                  const std::string path = UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(book.coverBmpPath, sz.first, sz.second);
+                  if (!Storage.exists(path.c_str())) success = xtc.generateThumbBmp(sz.first, sz.second) && success;
+                }
+              }
+            }
             if (!success) {
               RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, "");
               book.coverBmpPath = "";
@@ -184,8 +295,40 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
             requestUpdate();
             return;
           }
+        } else {
+          std::string coverPath = UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(book.coverBmpPath, coverHeight);
+          if (!Storage.exists(coverPath.c_str())) {
+            if (FsHelpers::hasEpubExtension(book.path)) {
+              Epub epub(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
+              epub.load(false, true);
+              bool success = epub.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
+              if (!success) {
+                RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, "");
+                book.coverBmpPath = "";
+              }
+              coverRendered = false;
+              nextRecentCoverIndex++;
+              recentsLoading = false;
+              requestUpdate();
+              return;
+            } else if (FsHelpers::hasXtcExtension(book.path)) {
+              Xtc xtc(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
+              if (xtc.load()) {
+                bool success = xtc.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
+                if (!success) {
+                  RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, "");
+                  book.coverBmpPath = "";
+                }
+                coverRendered = false;
+                nextRecentCoverIndex++;
+                recentsLoading = false;
+                requestUpdate();
+                return;
+              }
+            }
+          }
         }
-      }
+      }  // if (!book.coverBmpPath.empty()) after sidecar check
     }
   }
 
@@ -241,9 +384,8 @@ void HomeActivity::onEnter() {
 
 void HomeActivity::onExit() {
   Activity::onExit();
-
-  // Free the stored cover buffer if any
   freeCoverBuffer();
+  UITheme::getInstance().getMutableTheme().invalidateFrameCache();
 }
 
 bool HomeActivity::storeCoverBuffer() {
@@ -292,27 +434,70 @@ void HomeActivity::loop() {
   if (menuEntriesDirty) {
     rebuildMenuEntries();
   }
-  const int totalItems = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size() + menuEntries.size());
 
-  if (firstRenderDone && !recentsLoaded && !recentsLoading) {
-    const auto& metrics = UITheme::getInstance().getMetrics();
-    const Rect contentRect = UITheme::getContentRect(renderer, true, false);
-    const HomeScreenLayout layout =
-        computeHomeScreenLayout(metrics, contentRect.height, static_cast<int>(menuEntries.size()));
-    loadRecentCovers(getHomeCoverRenderHeight(layout));
-    return;
+  const bool isCarousel = (GUI.getHomeNavigation() == HomeNavigation::Carousel);
+
+  if (isCarousel) {
+    const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
+    const int menuItemCount = static_cast<int>(menuEntries.size());
+    const bool inCarouselRow = (selectorIndex < bookCount);
+    const int menuIdx = inCarouselRow ? 0 : (selectorIndex - bookCount);
+
+    if (mappedInput.wasPressed(MappedInputManager::Button::Right)) {
+      if (inCarouselRow && bookCount > 0)
+        selectorIndex = (selectorIndex + 1) % bookCount;
+      else if (!inCarouselRow)
+        selectorIndex = bookCount + (menuIdx + 1) % menuItemCount;
+      requestUpdate();
+    }
+    if (mappedInput.wasPressed(MappedInputManager::Button::Left)) {
+      if (inCarouselRow && bookCount > 0)
+        selectorIndex = (selectorIndex + bookCount - 1) % bookCount;
+      else if (!inCarouselRow)
+        selectorIndex = bookCount + (menuIdx + menuItemCount - 1) % menuItemCount;
+      requestUpdate();
+    }
+    if (mappedInput.wasPressed(MappedInputManager::Button::Down)) {
+      if (inCarouselRow) {
+        lastCarouselBookIndex = selectorIndex;
+        selectorIndex = bookCount;
+      } else {
+        selectorIndex = lastCarouselBookIndex;
+      }
+      requestUpdate();
+    }
+    if (mappedInput.wasPressed(MappedInputManager::Button::Up)) {
+      if (inCarouselRow) {
+        lastCarouselBookIndex = selectorIndex;
+        selectorIndex = bookCount;
+      } else {
+        selectorIndex = lastCarouselBookIndex;
+      }
+      requestUpdate();
+    }
+  } else {
+    const int totalItems = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size() + menuEntries.size());
+
+    if (firstRenderDone && !recentsLoaded && !recentsLoading) {
+      const auto& metrics = UITheme::getInstance().getMetrics();
+      const Rect contentRect = UITheme::getContentRect(renderer, true, false);
+      const HomeScreenLayout layout =
+          computeHomeScreenLayout(metrics, contentRect.height, static_cast<int>(menuEntries.size()));
+      loadRecentCovers(getHomeCoverRenderHeight(layout));
+      return;
+    }
+
+    buttonNavigator.onNext([this, totalItems] {
+      selectorIndex = ButtonNavigator::nextIndex(selectorIndex, totalItems);
+      requestUpdate();
+    });
+
+    buttonNavigator.onPrevious([this, totalItems] {
+      selectorIndex = ButtonNavigator::previousIndex(selectorIndex, totalItems);
+      requestUpdate();
+    });
   }
 
-  buttonNavigator.onNext([this, totalItems] {
-    selectorIndex = ButtonNavigator::nextIndex(selectorIndex, totalItems);
-    requestUpdate();
-  });
-
-  buttonNavigator.onPrevious([this, totalItems] {
-    selectorIndex = ButtonNavigator::previousIndex(selectorIndex, totalItems);
-    requestUpdate();
-  });
-
   if (mappedInput.wasReleased(MappedInputManager::Button::Confirm)) {
     const int recentsCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
     if (selectorIndex < recentsCount) {
@@ -330,21 +515,43 @@ void HomeActivity::render(RenderLock&&) {
   const auto& metrics = UITheme::getInstance().getMetrics();
   const Rect contentRect = UITheme::getContentRect(renderer, true, false);
 
+  if (menuEntriesDirty) {
+    rebuildMenuEntries();
+  }
+
+  const int menuCount = static_cast<int>(menuEntries.size());
+  const bool isCarousel = (GUI.getHomeNavigation() == HomeNavigation::Carousel);
+
+  // Fast path: theme owns its own pre-rendered frame cache
+  if (isCarousel) {
+    const auto carouselLabels = mappedInput.mapLabels("", tr(STR_SELECT), tr(STR_DIR_LEFT), tr(STR_DIR_RIGHT));
+    const bool handled = GUI.tryFastHomeRender(
+        renderer, recentBooks, selectorIndex, menuCount,
+        [this](int index) { return std::string(I18N.get(menuEntries[index].label)); },
+        [this](int index) { return menuEntries[index].icon; }, carouselLabels.btn1, carouselLabels.btn2,
+        carouselLabels.btn3, carouselLabels.btn4);
+    if (handled) {
+      if (!firstRenderDone) {
+        firstRenderDone = true;
+        requestUpdate();
+      } else if (!recentsLoaded && !recentsLoading) {
+        recentsLoading = true;
+        loadRecentCovers(metrics.homeCoverHeight);
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+  }
+
   renderer.clearScreen();
   bool bufferRestored = coverBufferStored && restoreCoverBuffer();
 
   GUI.drawHeader(renderer, Rect{contentRect.x, metrics.topPadding, contentRect.width, metrics.homeTopPadding}, nullptr);
 
-  if (menuEntriesDirty) {
-    rebuildMenuEntries();
-  }
-
   const int totalItems = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size() + menuEntries.size());
   if (selectorIndex >= totalItems) {
     selectorIndex = std::max(0, totalItems - 1);
   }
 
-  const int menuCount = static_cast<int>(menuEntries.size());
   const HomeScreenLayout layout = computeHomeScreenLayout(metrics, contentRect.height, menuCount);
 
   GUI.drawRecentBookCover(renderer,
@@ -360,7 +567,8 @@ void HomeActivity::render(RenderLock&&) {
       [this](int index) { return std::string(I18N.get(menuEntries[index].label)); },
       [this](int index) { return menuEntries[index].icon; });
 
-  const auto labels = mappedInput.mapLabels("", tr(STR_SELECT), tr(STR_DIR_UP), tr(STR_DIR_DOWN));
+  const auto labels = isCarousel ? mappedInput.mapLabels("", tr(STR_SELECT), tr(STR_DIR_LEFT), tr(STR_DIR_RIGHT))
+                                 : mappedInput.mapLabels("", tr(STR_SELECT), tr(STR_DIR_UP), tr(STR_DIR_DOWN));
   GUI.drawButtonHints(renderer, labels.btn1, labels.btn2, labels.btn3, labels.btn4);
 
   renderer.displayBuffer();
@@ -368,6 +576,9 @@ void HomeActivity::render(RenderLock&&) {
   if (!firstRenderDone) {
     firstRenderDone = true;
     requestUpdate();
+  } else if (!recentsLoaded && !recentsLoading) {
+    recentsLoading = true;
+    loadRecentCovers(getHomeCoverRenderHeight(computeHomeScreenLayout(metrics, contentRect.height, menuCount)));
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h
index c41d1506..a161d4ec 100644
--- a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h
+++ b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h
@@ -32,20 +32,22 @@ class HomeActivity final : public Activity {
 
   ButtonNavigator buttonNavigator;
   int selectorIndex = 0;
+  int lastCarouselBookIndex = 0;  // remembered position when leaving carousel row
   bool recentsLoading = false;
   bool recentsLoaded = false;
   bool firstRenderDone = false;
   bool hasOpdsServers = false;
-  bool coverRendered = false;      // Track if cover has been rendered once
-  bool coverBufferStored = false;  // Track if cover buffer is stored
+  bool coverRendered = false;
+  bool coverBufferStored = false;
   size_t nextRecentCoverIndex = 0;
-  uint8_t* coverBuffer = nullptr;  // HomeActivity's own buffer for cover image
+  uint8_t* coverBuffer = nullptr;
+
   std::vector<RecentBook> recentBooks;
   std::vector<MenuEntry> menuEntries;
   bool menuEntriesDirty = true;
 
-  std::string focusBookPath;    // book path to re-select on first render, if present in recents
-  int focusSelectorIndex = -1;  // fallback combined-selector index when focusBookPath doesn't match
+  std::string focusBookPath;
+  int focusSelectorIndex = -1;
 
   void onSelectBook(const std::string& path);
   void dispatchMenuAction(MenuAction action);
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
index 5ed20603..4fec8af5 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "KOReaderCredentialStore.h"
 #include "MappedInputManager.h"
 #include "QrDisplayActivity.h"
+#include "ReaderActivity.h"
 #include "ReaderUtils.h"
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
 #include "SdCardFontGlobals.h"
@@ -207,7 +208,9 @@ void EpubReaderActivity::onEnter() {
   if (!series.empty() && !epub->getSeriesIndex().empty()) {
     series += " #" + epub->getSeriesIndex();
   }
-  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(epub->getPath(), epub->getTitle(), epub->getAuthor(), series, epub->getThumbBmpPath());
+  const std::string epubSidecar = ReaderActivity::sidecarCoverPath(epub->getPath());
+  const std::string epubCover = epubSidecar.empty() ? epub->getThumbBmpPath() : epubSidecar;
+  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(epub->getPath(), epub->getTitle(), epub->getAuthor(), series, epubCover);
   const RecentBook currentBook = RECENT_BOOKS.getBookByPath(epub->getPath());
   bookEmbeddedStyleOverride = currentBook.embeddedStyleOverride;
   bookImageRenderingOverride = currentBook.imageRenderingOverride;
@@ -241,6 +244,7 @@ void EpubReaderActivity::onExit() {
   APP_STATE.readerActivityLoadCount = 0;
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
   section.reset();
+  UITheme::getInstance().getMutableTheme().onBookWillClose(epub ? epub->getPath() : "", epub.get(), nullptr, nullptr);
   epub.reset();
   currentPageFootnotes.clear();
   currentPageFootnotes.shrink_to_fit();
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/MdReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/MdReaderActivity.cpp
index 3aa172be..81118c93 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/MdReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/MdReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include "CrossPointState.h"
 #include "MappedInputManager.h"
 #include "MdReaderTocSelectionActivity.h"
+#include "ReaderActivity.h"
 #include "ReaderUtils.h"
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
 #include "components/UITheme.h"
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ void MdReaderActivity::onEnter() {
   auto fileName = filePath.substr(filePath.rfind('/') + 1);
   APP_STATE.openEpubPath = filePath;
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
-  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(filePath, fileName, "", "", "");
+  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(filePath, fileName, "", "", ReaderActivity::sidecarCoverPath(filePath));
 
   requestUpdate();
 }
@@ -219,6 +220,7 @@ void MdReaderActivity::onExit() {
   currentPageLines.clear();
   APP_STATE.readerActivityLoadCount = 0;
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
+  UITheme::getInstance().getMutableTheme().onBookWillClose(txt ? txt->getPath() : "", nullptr, nullptr, txt.get());
   txt.reset();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.cpp
index 0a7a045e..0d12c201 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,21 @@ bool ReaderActivity::isImageFile(const std::string& path) {
   return FsHelpers::hasBmpExtension(path) || FsHelpers::hasJpgExtension(path) || FsHelpers::hasPngExtension(path);
 }
 
+std::string ReaderActivity::sidecarCoverPath(const std::string& bookPath) {
+  const auto sep = bookPath.find_last_of("/\\");
+  const auto dot = bookPath.rfind('.');
+  if (dot == std::string::npos || (sep != std::string::npos && dot < sep)) return "";
+  const std::string base = bookPath.substr(0, dot);
+  for (const char* ext : {".jpg", ".jpeg", ".png", ".bmp"}) {
+    const std::string candidate = base + ext;
+    if (Storage.exists(candidate.c_str())) {
+      LOG_DBG("SIDECAR", "Found sidecar cover: %s", candidate.c_str());
+      return candidate;
+    }
+  }
+  return "";
+}
+
 std::unique_ptr<Epub> ReaderActivity::loadEpub(const std::string& path) {
   if (!Storage.exists(path.c_str())) {
     LOG_ERR("READER", "File does not exist: %s", path.c_str());
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.h b/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.h
index 0292901f..bc24c94a 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.h
+++ b/src/activities/reader/ReaderActivity.h
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ class ReaderActivity final : public Activity {
   void onGoBack();
 
  public:
+  static std::string sidecarCoverPath(const std::string& bookPath);
+
   explicit ReaderActivity(GfxRenderer& renderer, MappedInputManager& mappedInput, std::string initialBookPath)
       : Activity("Reader", renderer, mappedInput), initialBookPath(std::move(initialBookPath)) {}
   void onEnter() override;
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp
index 0222a8cc..de670db3 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include "CrossPointState.h"
 #include "GlobalBookmarkIndex.h"
 #include "MappedInputManager.h"
+#include "ReaderActivity.h"
 #include "ReaderUtils.h"
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
 #include "StarredPagesActivity.h"
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ void TxtReaderActivity::onEnter() {
   auto fileName = filePath.substr(filePath.rfind('/') + 1);
   APP_STATE.openEpubPath = filePath;
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
-  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(filePath, fileName, "", "", "");
+  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(filePath, fileName, "", "", ReaderActivity::sidecarCoverPath(filePath));
 
   // Trigger first update
   requestUpdate();
@@ -134,6 +135,7 @@ void TxtReaderActivity::onExit() {
   currentPageLines.clear();
   APP_STATE.readerActivityLoadCount = 0;
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
+  UITheme::getInstance().getMutableTheme().onBookWillClose(txt ? txt->getPath() : "", nullptr, nullptr, txt.get());
   txt.reset();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
index f384339b..43795b3e 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -17,9 +17,11 @@
 #include "CrossPointSettings.h"
 #include "CrossPointState.h"
 #include "MappedInputManager.h"
+#include "ReaderActivity.h"
 #include "ReaderUtils.h"
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
 #include "XtcReaderChapterSelectionActivity.h"
+#include "components/UITheme.h"
 #include "fontIds.h"
 
 void XtcReaderActivity::onEnter() {
@@ -41,7 +43,9 @@ void XtcReaderActivity::onEnter() {
   // Save current XTC as last opened book and add to recent books
   APP_STATE.openEpubPath = xtc->getPath();
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
-  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(xtc->getPath(), xtc->getTitle(), xtc->getAuthor(), "", xtc->getThumbBmpPath());
+  const std::string xtcSidecar = ReaderActivity::sidecarCoverPath(xtc->getPath());
+  const std::string xtcCover = xtcSidecar.empty() ? xtc->getThumbBmpPath() : xtcSidecar;
+  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(xtc->getPath(), xtc->getTitle(), xtc->getAuthor(), "", xtcCover);
 
   // Trigger first update
   requestUpdate();
@@ -52,6 +56,8 @@ void XtcReaderActivity::onExit() {
 
   APP_STATE.readerActivityLoadCount = 0;
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
+
+  UITheme::getInstance().getMutableTheme().onBookWillClose(xtc ? xtc->getPath() : "", nullptr, xtc.get(), nullptr);
   xtc.reset();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/components/UITheme.cpp b/src/components/UITheme.cpp
index 5c3dfe03..93ed81c8 100644
--- a/src/components/UITheme.cpp
+++ b/src/components/UITheme.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
 #include "components/themes/BaseTheme.h"
 #include "components/themes/lyra/Lyra3CoversTheme.h"
+#include "components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h"
 #include "components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.h"
 
 namespace {
@@ -66,6 +67,16 @@ void UITheme::setTheme(CrossPointSettings::UI_THEME type) {
       currentTheme = std::make_unique<Lyra3CoversTheme>();
       currentMetrics = &Lyra3CoversMetrics::values;
       break;
+    case CrossPointSettings::UI_THEME::LYRA_CAROUSEL:
+      LOG_DBG("UI", "Using Lyra Carousel theme");
+      currentTheme = std::make_unique<LyraCarouselTheme>();
+      currentMetrics = &LyraCarouselMetrics::values;
+      break;
+    default:
+      LOG_ERR("UI", "Unknown theme %d, falling back to Classic", static_cast<int>(type));
+      currentTheme = std::make_unique<BaseTheme>();
+      currentMetrics = &BaseMetrics::values;
+      break;
   }
 }
 
@@ -161,6 +172,14 @@ std::string UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(std::string coverBmpPath, int coverHeight
   return coverBmpPath;
 }
 
+std::string UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(std::string coverBmpPath, int width, int height) {
+  size_t pos = coverBmpPath.find("[HEIGHT]", 0);
+  if (pos != std::string::npos) {
+    coverBmpPath.replace(pos, 8, std::to_string(width) + "x" + std::to_string(height));
+  }
+  return coverBmpPath;
+}
+
 UIIcon UITheme::getFileIcon(const std::string& filename) {
   if (filename.back() == '/') {
     return Folder;
diff --git a/src/components/UITheme.h b/src/components/UITheme.h
index da015093..10b42635 100644
--- a/src/components/UITheme.h
+++ b/src/components/UITheme.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ class UITheme {
 
   const ThemeMetrics& getMetrics() const { return *currentMetrics; }
   const BaseTheme& getTheme() const { return *currentTheme; }
+  BaseTheme& getMutableTheme() { return *currentTheme; }
   void reload();
   void setTheme(CrossPointSettings::UI_THEME type);
   static int getNumberOfItemsPerPage(const GfxRenderer& renderer, bool hasHeader, bool hasTabBar, bool hasButtonHints,
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ class UITheme {
   // The mapping to logical edges is orientation-dependent.
   static Rect getContentRect(const GfxRenderer& renderer, bool hasBottomHints, bool hasSideHints);
   static std::string getCoverThumbPath(std::string coverBmpPath, int coverHeight);
+  static std::string getCoverThumbPath(std::string coverBmpPath, int width, int height);
   static UIIcon getFileIcon(const std::string& filename);
   static int getStatusBarTopHeight(bool forceStatusItems = false);
   static int getStatusBarBottomHeight(bool forceStatusItems = false);
diff --git a/src/components/themes/BaseTheme.h b/src/components/themes/BaseTheme.h
index a9923287..76415592 100644
--- a/src/components/themes/BaseTheme.h
+++ b/src/components/themes/BaseTheme.h
@@ -4,9 +4,13 @@
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <functional>
 #include <string>
+#include <utility>
 #include <vector>
 
 class GfxRenderer;
+class Epub;
+class Txt;
+class Xtc;
 struct RecentBook;
 
 struct Rect {
@@ -48,6 +52,8 @@ struct ThemeMetrics {
   int homeCoverHeight;
   int homeCoverTileHeight;
   int homeRecentBooksCount;
+  bool homeContinueReadingInMenu = false;
+  int homeMenuTopOffset = 0;
 
   int buttonHintsHeight;
   int sideButtonHintsWidth;
@@ -67,12 +73,15 @@ struct ThemeMetrics {
   int keyboardVerticalOffset;
   int keyboardTextFieldWidthPercent;
   int keyboardWidthPercent;
+  int keyboardKeyCornerRadius = 0;
 };
 
 enum UIIcon { Folder, Text, Image, Book, File, Recent, Settings, Transfer, Library, Wifi, Hotspot, Weather };
 
 enum class KeyboardKeyType { Normal, Shift, Mode, Reveal, Space, Del, Ok, Disabled };
 
+enum class HomeNavigation { Linear, Carousel };
+
 // Default theme implementation (Classic Theme)
 // Additional themes can inherit from this and override methods as needed
 
@@ -160,7 +169,35 @@ class BaseTheme {
                                bool inactiveSelection = false) const;
   virtual bool showsFileIcons() const { return false; }
 
-  // Shared constants and helpers for battery drawing (used by all themes)
+  // ---- Home screen navigation / rendering contract ----
+
+  // Return Carousel to opt in to left/right book navigation and tryFastHomeRender().
+  virtual HomeNavigation getHomeNavigation() const { return HomeNavigation::Linear; }
+
+  // Return the cover thumbnail sizes this theme needs for its home screen.
+  // HomeActivity calls generateThumbBmp() for each pair. Empty = use height-only path.
+  virtual std::vector<std::pair<int, int>> getCoverThumbSizes(int coverHeight) const { return {}; }
+
+  // Attempt a full home-screen render from pre-cached state.
+  // Return true if the theme handled the render (HomeActivity must not draw anything else).
+  // Return false to fall through to the standard slow-path render in HomeActivity.
+  virtual bool tryFastHomeRender(GfxRenderer& renderer, const std::vector<RecentBook>& recentBooks, int selectorIndex,
+                                 int menuCount, const std::function<std::string(int)>& menuLabel,
+                                 const std::function<UIIcon(int)>& menuIcon, const char* hintBtn1, const char* hintBtn2,
+                                 const char* hintBtn3, const char* hintBtn4) const {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // Called by readers just before releasing the book object. Themes that cache
+  // cover thumbnails can generate them here while the book is still loaded.
+  // Only one of epub/xtc/txt will be non-null depending on the reader.
+  virtual void onBookWillClose(const std::string& path, Epub* epub, Xtc* xtc, Txt* txt) {}
+
+  // Called when HomeActivity exits. Themes that hold heap-allocated render caches
+  // should free them here so the memory is available to child activities.
+  virtual void invalidateFrameCache() {}
+
+  // ---- Shared constants and helpers for battery drawing (used by all themes) ----
   static constexpr int batteryPercentSpacing = 4;
   static void drawBatteryOutline(const GfxRenderer& renderer, int x, int y, int battWidth, int rectHeight);
   static void drawBatteryLightningBolt(const GfxRenderer& renderer, int boltX, int boltY);
diff --git a/src/components/themes/lyra/Lyra3CoversTheme.cpp b/src/components/themes/lyra/Lyra3CoversTheme.cpp
index 5e8671bf..06f5f230 100644
--- a/src/components/themes/lyra/Lyra3CoversTheme.cpp
+++ b/src/components/themes/lyra/Lyra3CoversTheme.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ void Lyra3CoversTheme::drawRecentBookCover(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, con
               const float ratio = bitmapWidth / bitmapHeight;
               const float tileRatio =
                   static_cast<float>(tileWidth - 2 * hPaddingInSelection) / static_cast<float>(coverHeight);
-              const float cropX = 1.0f - (tileRatio / ratio);
+              const float cropX = std::max(0.0f, 1.0f - (tileRatio / ratio));
 
               renderer.drawBitmap(bitmap, tileX + hPaddingInSelection, tileY + hPaddingInSelection,
                                   tileWidth - 2 * hPaddingInSelection, coverHeight, cropX);
diff --git a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.cpp b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..771142b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,662 @@
+#include "LyraCarouselTheme.h"
+
+#include <Bitmap.h>
+#include <Epub.h>
+#include <FsHelpers.h>
+#include <GfxRenderer.h>
+#include <HalStorage.h>
+#include <I18n.h>
+#include <Logging.h>
+#include <Txt.h>
+#include <Xtc.h>
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "RecentBooksStore.h"
+#include "components/UITheme.h"
+#include "components/icons/book.h"
+#include "components/icons/book24.h"
+#include "components/icons/cover.h"
+#include "components/icons/file24.h"
+#include "components/icons/folder.h"
+#include "components/icons/folder24.h"
+#include "components/icons/hotspot.h"
+#include "components/icons/image24.h"
+#include "components/icons/library.h"
+#include "components/icons/recent.h"
+#include "components/icons/settings2.h"
+#include "components/icons/text24.h"
+#include "components/icons/transfer.h"
+#include "components/icons/weather32.h"
+#include "components/icons/wifi.h"
+#include "fontIds.h"
+
+namespace {
+// Cover layout — centre cover dominates, sides slide kOverlap px behind it
+constexpr int kCenterCoverMaxW = LyraCarouselTheme::kCenterCoverW;
+constexpr int kCenterCoverMaxH = LyraCarouselTheme::kCenterCoverH;
+constexpr int kSideCoverMaxW = LyraCarouselTheme::kSideCoverW;
+constexpr int kSideCoverMaxH = LyraCarouselTheme::kSideCoverH;
+constexpr int kOverlap = 60;
+constexpr int kCoverTopPad = 10;
+
+constexpr int kTitleFontId = UI_12_FONT_ID;
+constexpr int kDotSize = 8;  // px square dot
+constexpr int kDotGap = 6;   // px between dots
+
+constexpr int kCornerRadius = 6;
+constexpr int kThinOutlineW = 1;    // always-visible outline around centre cover
+constexpr int kSelectionLineW = 3;  // thicker outline when centre cover is selected
+constexpr int kCenterOutlineW = 4;  // white ring around centre cover
+
+// Icon row — icons are 32×32 bitmaps; drawIcon does NOT scale
+constexpr int kMenuIconSize = 32;  // must match actual bitmap dimensions
+constexpr int kMenuIconPad = 14;   // symmetric vertical padding → tile height = 60
+constexpr int kHighlightPad = 12;  // horizontal padding around the icon on each side
+// Row is anchored to the bottom of the screen, just above button hints
+constexpr int kButtonHintsH = LyraCarouselMetrics::values.buttonHintsHeight;
+
+int lastCarouselSelectorIndex = -1;
+
+const uint8_t* iconBitmapFor(UIIcon icon) {
+  switch (icon) {
+    case UIIcon::Folder:
+      return FolderIcon;
+    case UIIcon::Recent:
+      return RecentIcon;
+    case UIIcon::Transfer:
+      return TransferIcon;
+    case UIIcon::Settings:
+      return Settings2Icon;
+    case UIIcon::Book:
+      return BookIcon;
+    case UIIcon::Library:
+      return LibraryIcon;
+    case UIIcon::Weather:
+      return Weather32Icon;
+    case UIIcon::Wifi:
+      return WifiIcon;
+    case UIIcon::Hotspot:
+      return HotspotIcon;
+    default:
+      return nullptr;
+  }
+}
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Static frame cache — survives HomeActivity re-creation so that returning to
+// home after settings doesn't re-read covers from SD.
+// Freed explicitly via invalidateFrameCache() before entering the reader.
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+constexpr int kFrameCount = 1;
+uint8_t* gCachedFrames[kFrameCount] = {};
+int gCachedFrameBookIdx[kFrameCount] = {-1};
+int gCachedFrameCount = 0;
+std::string gCacheKey;
+
+int findFrameSlot(int bookIdx) {
+  for (int i = 0; i < kFrameCount; ++i) {
+    if (gCachedFrameBookIdx[i] == bookIdx && gCachedFrames[i] != nullptr) return i;
+  }
+  return -1;
+}
+
+void freeFrameCache() {
+  for (int i = 0; i < kFrameCount; ++i) {
+    if (gCachedFrames[i]) {
+      free(gCachedFrames[i]);
+      gCachedFrames[i] = nullptr;
+    }
+    gCachedFrameBookIdx[i] = -1;
+  }
+  gCachedFrameCount = 0;
+  gCacheKey.clear();
+}
+}  // namespace
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Static helpers
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void LyraCarouselTheme::setPreRenderIndex(int idx) { lastCarouselSelectorIndex = idx; }
+
+void LyraCarouselTheme::invalidateFrameCache() { freeFrameCache(); }
+
+void LyraCarouselTheme::onBookWillClose(const std::string& /*path*/, Epub* epub, Xtc* xtc, Txt* /*txt*/) {
+  if (epub) {
+    epub->generateThumbBmp(kCenterCoverW, kCenterCoverH);
+    epub->generateThumbBmp(kSideCoverW, kSideCoverH);
+  }
+  if (xtc) {
+    xtc->generateThumbBmp(kCenterCoverW, kCenterCoverH);
+    xtc->generateThumbBmp(kSideCoverW, kSideCoverH);
+  }
+  // txt files have no cover image — nothing to generate
+  invalidateFrameCache();
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// tryFastHomeRender — pre-renders carousel frames and composites them
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+namespace {
+void renderOneCarouselFrame(GfxRenderer& renderer, const std::vector<RecentBook>& recentBooks, int bookIdx, int slotIdx,
+                            const ThemeMetrics& metrics) {
+  if (!gCachedFrames[slotIdx]) return;
+  const int pageWidth = renderer.getScreenWidth();
+  const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
+  bool d1 = false, d2 = false, d3 = false;
+
+  lastCarouselSelectorIndex = bookIdx;
+  renderer.clearScreen();
+  UITheme::getInstance().getTheme().drawRecentBookCover(
+      renderer, Rect{0, metrics.homeTopPadding, pageWidth, metrics.homeCoverTileHeight}, recentBooks, bookCount, d1, d2,
+      d3, []() { return true; });
+
+  memcpy(gCachedFrames[slotIdx], renderer.getFrameBuffer(), renderer.getBufferSize());
+  gCachedFrameBookIdx[slotIdx] = bookIdx;
+}
+
+void updateSlidingWindow(GfxRenderer& renderer, const std::vector<RecentBook>& recentBooks, int centerIdx,
+                         const ThemeMetrics& metrics) {
+  const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
+  if (bookCount <= kFrameCount || gCachedFrameCount == 0) return;
+
+  const int prevIdx = (centerIdx + bookCount - 1) % bookCount;
+  const int nextIdx = (centerIdx + 1) % bookCount;
+  const bool hasPrev = findFrameSlot(prevIdx) >= 0;
+  const bool hasNext = findFrameSlot(nextIdx) >= 0;
+  if (hasPrev && hasNext) return;
+
+  const int missingIdx = !hasPrev ? prevIdx : nextIdx;
+  int evictSlot = -1, maxDist = -1;
+  for (int i = 0; i < kFrameCount; ++i) {
+    if (!gCachedFrames[i]) continue;
+    const int b = gCachedFrameBookIdx[i];
+    if (b == centerIdx || (hasPrev && b == prevIdx) || (hasNext && b == nextIdx)) continue;
+    const int diff = std::abs(b - centerIdx);
+    const int dist = std::min(diff, bookCount - diff);
+    if (dist > maxDist) {
+      maxDist = dist;
+      evictSlot = i;
+    }
+  }
+  if (evictSlot >= 0) renderOneCarouselFrame(renderer, recentBooks, missingIdx, evictSlot, metrics);
+}
+}  // namespace
+
+bool LyraCarouselTheme::tryFastHomeRender(GfxRenderer& renderer, const std::vector<RecentBook>& recentBooks,
+                                          int selectorIndex, int menuCount,
+                                          const std::function<std::string(int)>& menuLabel,
+                                          const std::function<UIIcon(int)>& menuIcon, const char* hintBtn1,
+                                          const char* hintBtn2, const char* hintBtn3, const char* hintBtn4) const {
+  const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
+  if (bookCount == 0) return false;
+
+  const auto& metrics = UITheme::getInstance().getMetrics();
+  const int pageWidth = renderer.getScreenWidth();
+  const int pageHeight = renderer.getScreenHeight();
+  const size_t bufferSize = renderer.getBufferSize();
+  uint8_t* frameBuffer = renderer.getFrameBuffer();
+  if (!frameBuffer) return false;
+
+  // Build cache key from book paths
+  std::string newKey;
+  newKey.reserve(128);
+  for (const auto& b : recentBooks) {
+    newKey += b.path;
+    newKey += '\0';
+  }
+
+  if (newKey != gCacheKey || gCachedFrameCount == 0) {
+    // Free old cache and allocate fresh frames
+    freeFrameCache();
+    const int frameCount = std::min(bookCount, kFrameCount);
+    for (int i = 0; i < frameCount; ++i) {
+      gCachedFrames[i] = static_cast<uint8_t*>(malloc(bufferSize));
+      if (!gCachedFrames[i]) {
+        LOG_ERR("CAROUSEL", "tryFastHomeRender: malloc failed for frame %d", i);
+        freeFrameCache();
+        return false;
+      }
+    }
+    // Render only the initially-selected frame; neighbours are filled lazily.
+    const int initialIdx = (selectorIndex < bookCount) ? selectorIndex : 0;
+    renderOneCarouselFrame(renderer, recentBooks, initialIdx, 0, metrics);
+    gCachedFrameCount = frameCount;
+    gCacheKey = newKey;
+  }
+
+  const bool inCarouselRow = (selectorIndex < bookCount);
+  const int centerIdx =
+      inCarouselRow ? selectorIndex : (lastCarouselSelectorIndex >= 0 ? lastCarouselSelectorIndex : 0);
+  int slotIdx = findFrameSlot(centerIdx);
+  if (slotIdx < 0) {
+    slotIdx = 0;
+  }
+  if (!gCachedFrames[slotIdx]) {
+    gCachedFrames[slotIdx] = static_cast<uint8_t*>(malloc(bufferSize));
+    if (!gCachedFrames[slotIdx]) {
+      LOG_ERR("CAROUSEL", "tryFastHomeRender: malloc failed for frame %d", slotIdx);
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+  if (findFrameSlot(centerIdx) < 0 || gCachedFrameBookIdx[slotIdx] != centerIdx) {
+    renderOneCarouselFrame(renderer, recentBooks, centerIdx, slotIdx, metrics);
+  }
+
+  memcpy(frameBuffer, gCachedFrames[slotIdx], bufferSize);
+  UITheme::getInstance().getTheme().drawHeader(renderer, Rect{0, metrics.topPadding, pageWidth, metrics.homeTopPadding},
+                                               nullptr);
+
+  // Overlay the selection border when carousel row is active
+  if (inCarouselRow) {
+    const int screenW = renderer.getScreenWidth();
+    const int centerTileY = metrics.homeTopPadding + kCoverTopPad;
+    const int centerX = (screenW - kCenterCoverMaxW) / 2;
+    renderer.drawRoundedRect(centerX, centerTileY, kCenterCoverMaxW, kCenterCoverMaxH, kSelectionLineW, kCornerRadius,
+                             true);
+  }
+
+  // Menu row
+  const int menuIdx = inCarouselRow ? -1 : (selectorIndex - bookCount);
+  UITheme::getInstance().getTheme().drawButtonMenu(
+      renderer,
+      Rect{0, metrics.homeTopPadding + metrics.homeCoverTileHeight + metrics.verticalSpacing, pageWidth,
+           pageHeight - (metrics.headerHeight + metrics.homeTopPadding + metrics.verticalSpacing * 2 +
+                         metrics.buttonHintsHeight)},
+      menuCount, menuIdx, menuLabel, menuIcon);
+
+  // Button hints
+  UITheme::getInstance().getTheme().drawButtonHints(renderer, hintBtn1, hintBtn2, hintBtn3, hintBtn4);
+
+  renderer.displayBuffer();
+  updateSlidingWindow(renderer, recentBooks, centerIdx, metrics);
+  return true;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Carousel cover strip
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void LyraCarouselTheme::drawRecentBookCover(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect,
+                                            const std::vector<RecentBook>& recentBooks, const int selectorIndex,
+                                            bool& coverRendered, bool& coverBufferStored, bool& bufferRestored,
+                                            std::function<bool()> storeCoverBuffer) const {
+  if (recentBooks.empty()) {
+    drawEmptyRecents(renderer, rect);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
+  // When navigating the icon row, keep showing the last carousel position —
+  // falling back to 0 on first use (lastCarouselSelectorIndex == -1).
+  const bool inCarouselRow = (selectorIndex < bookCount);
+  int centerIdx = inCarouselRow ? selectorIndex : (lastCarouselSelectorIndex >= 0 ? lastCarouselSelectorIndex : 0);
+
+  if (centerIdx >= bookCount) {
+    centerIdx = bookCount - 1;
+    coverRendered = false;
+    coverBufferStored = false;
+  }
+
+  // cppcheck-suppress knownConditionTrueFalse
+  // Reachable as false when navigating the icon row with a previously-set
+  // lastCarouselSelectorIndex; cppcheck only models the inCarouselRow=true path.
+  if (centerIdx != lastCarouselSelectorIndex) {
+    coverRendered = false;
+    coverBufferStored = false;
+  }
+
+  const int screenW = renderer.getScreenWidth();
+  const int centerTileY = rect.y + kCoverTopPad;
+  const int sideTileY = centerTileY + (kCenterCoverMaxH - kSideCoverMaxH) / 2;
+
+  const int centerX = (screenW - kCenterCoverMaxW) / 2;
+  const int leftX = centerX - kSideCoverMaxW + kOverlap;
+  const int rightX = centerX + kCenterCoverMaxW - kOverlap;
+
+  // Returns true if a book exists at bookIdx (cover image or placeholder drawn).
+  // Returns false only when the slot has no book — caller skips the border too.
+  auto drawCover = [&](int bookIdx, int x, int y, int maxW, int maxH) -> bool {
+    if (bookIdx < 0 || bookIdx >= bookCount) return false;
+    const RecentBook& book = recentBooks[bookIdx];
+    // Side tiles may extend off-screen — only round corners that are on-screen.
+    const bool roundLeft = (x >= 0);
+    const bool roundRight = (x + maxW <= screenW);
+    bool hasCover = false;
+    if (!book.coverBmpPath.empty()) {
+      const std::string thumbPath = UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(book.coverBmpPath, maxW, maxH);
+      FsFile file;
+      if (Storage.openFileForRead("HOME", thumbPath, file)) {
+        Bitmap bitmap(file);
+        if (bitmap.parseHeaders() == BmpReaderError::Ok) {
+          // Height always fills the tile. Only crop horizontally if the cover is
+          // wider than the tile; narrow covers get white space on the sides.
+          const float bmpRatio = static_cast<float>(bitmap.getWidth()) / static_cast<float>(bitmap.getHeight());
+          const float tileRatio = static_cast<float>(maxW) / static_cast<float>(maxH);
+          const float cropX = (bmpRatio > tileRatio) ? (1.0f - tileRatio / bmpRatio) : 0.0f;
+          renderer.drawBitmap(bitmap, x, y, maxW, maxH, cropX, 0.0f);
+          // Clear only the pixels outside the arc in each corner.
+          // The arc centre for the top-left corner is (x+r, y+r). A pixel at
+          // (x+dx, y+dy) is outside the arc when its distance from that centre
+          // exceeds r, i.e. (r-1-dx)²+(r-1-dy)² > (r-1)².
+          for (int dy = 0; dy < kCornerRadius; ++dy) {
+            for (int dx = 0; dx < kCornerRadius; ++dx) {
+              const int ex = kCornerRadius - 1 - dx;
+              const int ey = kCornerRadius - 1 - dy;
+              if (ex * ex + ey * ey > (kCornerRadius - 1) * (kCornerRadius - 1)) {
+                if (roundLeft) {
+                  renderer.drawPixel(x + dx, y + dy, false);             // top-left
+                  renderer.drawPixel(x + dx, y + maxH - 1 - dy, false);  // bottom-left
+                }
+                if (roundRight) {
+                  renderer.drawPixel(x + maxW - 1 - dx, y + dy, false);             // top-right
+                  renderer.drawPixel(x + maxW - 1 - dx, y + maxH - 1 - dy, false);  // bottom-right
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+          renderer.drawRoundedRect(x, y, maxW, maxH, kThinOutlineW, kCornerRadius, roundLeft, roundRight, roundLeft,
+                                   roundRight, true);
+          hasCover = true;
+        }
+        file.close();
+      }
+    }
+    if (!hasCover) {
+      renderer.drawRoundedRect(x, y, maxW, maxH, 1, kCornerRadius, roundLeft, roundRight, roundLeft, roundRight, true);
+      renderer.fillRoundedRect(x, y + maxH / 3, maxW, 2 * maxH / 3, kCornerRadius, /*roundTopLeft=*/false,
+                               /*roundTopRight=*/false, /*roundBottomLeft=*/roundLeft, /*roundBottomRight=*/roundRight,
+                               Color::Black);
+      renderer.drawIcon(CoverIcon, x + maxW / 2 - 16, y + 8, 32, 32);
+    }
+    return true;
+  };
+
+  if (!coverRendered) {
+    lastCarouselSelectorIndex = centerIdx;
+
+    // Clear from the top of the tile down through the author/title text area.
+    // Use absolute coordinates so the clear covers the text regardless of what
+    // rect.height HomeActivity computed (it may be smaller than homeCoverTileHeight).
+    const int textAreaBottom = centerTileY + kCenterCoverMaxH              // bottom of centre cover
+                               + 8 + kDotSize                              // dots
+                               + 6 + renderer.getLineHeight(kTitleFontId)  // author line
+                               + 2 + renderer.getLineHeight(kTitleFontId)  // title line
+                               + 4;                                        // small margin
+    renderer.fillRect(rect.x, rect.y, rect.width, textAreaBottom - rect.y, false);
+
+    // Sides first so centre renders on top.
+    // Left side only when there are 3+ books; right side when there are 2+ books.
+    // Border only drawn if a cover image was actually rendered (no placeholders).
+    const int prevIdx = (centerIdx + bookCount - 1) % bookCount;
+    const int nextIdx = (centerIdx + 1) % bookCount;
+    if (bookCount >= 3) {
+      if (drawCover(prevIdx, leftX, sideTileY, kSideCoverMaxW, kSideCoverMaxH)) {
+        const bool rl = (leftX >= 0), rr = (leftX + kSideCoverMaxW <= screenW);
+        renderer.drawRoundedRect(leftX, sideTileY, kSideCoverMaxW, kSideCoverMaxH, 1, kCornerRadius, rl, rr, rl, rr,
+                                 true);
+      }
+    }
+    if (bookCount >= 2) {
+      if (drawCover(nextIdx, rightX, sideTileY, kSideCoverMaxW, kSideCoverMaxH)) {
+        const bool rl = (rightX >= 0), rr = (rightX + kSideCoverMaxW <= screenW);
+        renderer.drawRoundedRect(rightX, sideTileY, kSideCoverMaxW, kSideCoverMaxH, 1, kCornerRadius, rl, rr, rl, rr,
+                                 true);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Clear a white outline ring around the centre cover, then draw the cover
+    // inside it. The white ring always separates the centre from the sides.
+    renderer.fillRect(centerX - kCenterOutlineW, centerTileY - kCenterOutlineW, kCenterCoverMaxW + 2 * kCenterOutlineW,
+                      kCenterCoverMaxH + 2 * kCenterOutlineW, false);
+    drawCover(centerIdx, centerX, centerTileY, kCenterCoverMaxW, kCenterCoverMaxH);
+
+    // Dots — centred over the cover tile, count = actual book count
+    const int dotsY = centerTileY + kCenterCoverMaxH + 8;
+    const int totalDotsW = bookCount * kDotSize + (bookCount - 1) * kDotGap;
+    int dotX = centerX + (kCenterCoverMaxW - totalDotsW) / 2;
+    for (int i = 0; i < bookCount; ++i) {
+      if (i == centerIdx)
+        renderer.fillRect(dotX, dotsY, kDotSize, kDotSize, true);
+      else
+        renderer.drawRect(dotX, dotsY, kDotSize, kDotSize, true);
+      dotX += kDotSize + kDotGap;
+    }
+
+    // Author then title below dots
+    const int authorY = dotsY + kDotSize + 6;
+    const std::string authorTrunc =
+        renderer.truncatedText(kTitleFontId, recentBooks[centerIdx].author.c_str(), kCenterCoverMaxW);
+    const int authorW = renderer.getTextWidth(kTitleFontId, authorTrunc.c_str());
+    renderer.drawText(kTitleFontId, centerX + (kCenterCoverMaxW - authorW) / 2, authorY, authorTrunc.c_str(), true);
+
+    const int titleY = authorY + renderer.getLineHeight(kTitleFontId) + 2;
+    const std::string titleTrunc =
+        renderer.truncatedText(kTitleFontId, recentBooks[centerIdx].title.c_str(), kCenterCoverMaxW);
+    const int titleW = renderer.getTextWidth(kTitleFontId, titleTrunc.c_str());
+    renderer.drawText(kTitleFontId, centerX + (kCenterCoverMaxW - titleW) / 2, titleY, titleTrunc.c_str(), true);
+
+    coverBufferStored = storeCoverBuffer();
+    coverRendered = coverBufferStored;
+  }
+
+  // Always outline the centre cover at its own edge (white ring sits outside the black line);
+  // thicker when the carousel row is active
+  const int outlineW = inCarouselRow ? kSelectionLineW : kThinOutlineW;
+  renderer.drawRoundedRect(centerX, centerTileY, kCenterCoverMaxW, kCenterCoverMaxH, outlineW, kCornerRadius, true);
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Horizontal icon-only menu row — anchored to bottom of screen
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void LyraCarouselTheme::drawButtonMenu(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, int buttonCount, int selectedIndex,
+                                       const std::function<std::string(int index)>& buttonLabel,
+                                       const std::function<UIIcon(int index)>& rowIcon) const {
+  if (buttonCount <= 0) return;
+
+  const int screenW = renderer.getScreenWidth();
+  const int tileH = kMenuIconPad + kMenuIconSize + kMenuIconPad;
+  // Anchor row just above button hints, ignoring rect.y which may be off-screen for large cover tiles
+  const int rowY = renderer.getScreenHeight() - kButtonHintsH - tileH;
+
+  // How many icons fit side-by-side? Each needs at least (kMenuIconSize + 2*kHighlightPad).
+  const int minTileW = kMenuIconSize + 2 * kHighlightPad;
+  const int visibleCount = std::min(buttonCount, screenW / minTileW);
+  const int tileW = screenW / visibleCount;
+
+  // Sliding window: keep selectedIndex centred when we can't show all icons.
+  int firstVisible = 0;
+  if (selectedIndex >= 0 && visibleCount < buttonCount) {
+    firstVisible = selectedIndex - visibleCount / 2;
+    firstVisible = std::max(0, std::min(firstVisible, buttonCount - visibleCount));
+  }
+
+  // Draw the selected item's label in the header area so the user knows what they're about to open.
+  if (selectedIndex >= 0 && buttonLabel != nullptr) {
+    const auto& metrics = UITheme::getInstance().getMetrics();
+    const std::string label = buttonLabel(selectedIndex);
+    const int labelY = metrics.topPadding + 5;  // same y as battery / clock
+    const int labelW = renderer.getTextWidth(UI_12_FONT_ID, label.c_str(), EpdFontFamily::BOLD);
+    const int labelX = (screenW - labelW) / 2;
+    renderer.drawText(UI_12_FONT_ID, labelX, labelY, label.c_str(), true, EpdFontFamily::BOLD);
+  }
+
+  for (int slot = 0; slot < visibleCount; ++slot) {
+    const int i = firstVisible + slot;
+    if (i >= buttonCount) break;
+
+    const int tileX = slot * tileW;
+    const int iconX = tileX + (tileW - kMenuIconSize) / 2;
+    const int iconY = rowY + kMenuIconPad;
+
+    const bool selected = (selectedIndex == i);
+    if (selected) {
+      const int highlightSize = kMenuIconSize + 2 * kHighlightPad;
+      const int highlightY = rowY + (tileH - highlightSize) / 2;
+      renderer.fillRoundedRect(iconX - kHighlightPad, highlightY, highlightSize, highlightSize, kCornerRadius,
+                               Color::Black);
+    }
+
+    if (rowIcon != nullptr) {
+      const uint8_t* bmp = iconBitmapFor(rowIcon(i));
+      if (bmp != nullptr) {
+        if (selected)
+          renderer.drawIconInverted(bmp, iconX, iconY, kMenuIconSize, kMenuIconSize);
+        else
+          renderer.drawIcon(bmp, iconX, iconY, kMenuIconSize, kMenuIconSize);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Overflow indicators: small filled square at left/right edge when icons are clipped
+    if (visibleCount < buttonCount) {
+      constexpr int kArrowDotR = 3;
+      const int arrowY = rowY + tileH / 2;
+      if (firstVisible > 0 && slot == 0)
+        renderer.fillRect(2, arrowY - kArrowDotR, kArrowDotR * 2, kArrowDotR * 2, true);
+      if (firstVisible + visibleCount < buttonCount && slot == visibleCount - 1)
+        renderer.fillRect(screenW - 2 - kArrowDotR * 2, arrowY - kArrowDotR, kArrowDotR * 2, kArrowDotR * 2, true);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// List — solid black highlight, inverted text and icons on selected row
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void LyraCarouselTheme::drawList(const GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, int itemCount, int selectedIndex,
+                                 const std::function<std::string(int index)>& rowTitle,
+                                 const std::function<std::string(int index)>& rowSubtitle,
+                                 const std::function<UIIcon(int index)>& rowIcon,
+                                 const std::function<std::string(int index)>& rowValue, bool highlightValue) const {
+  constexpr int hPad = 8;
+  constexpr int listIconSz = 24;
+  constexpr int mainMenuIconSz = 32;
+  constexpr int maxValWidth = 200;
+  constexpr int cornerRadius = 6;
+
+  const int rowHeight = (rowSubtitle != nullptr) ? LyraCarouselMetrics::values.listWithSubtitleRowHeight
+                                                 : LyraCarouselMetrics::values.listRowHeight;
+  const int pageItems = rect.height / rowHeight;
+  if (pageItems <= 0 || itemCount <= 0) return;
+  const int totalPages = (itemCount + pageItems - 1) / pageItems;
+
+  if (totalPages > 1) {
+    const int scrollAreaHeight = rect.height;
+    const int scrollBarHeight = (scrollAreaHeight * pageItems) / itemCount;
+    const int currentPage = selectedIndex / pageItems;
+    const int scrollBarY = rect.y + ((scrollAreaHeight - scrollBarHeight) * currentPage) / (totalPages - 1);
+    const int scrollBarX = rect.x + rect.width - LyraCarouselMetrics::values.scrollBarRightOffset;
+    renderer.drawLine(scrollBarX, rect.y, scrollBarX, rect.y + scrollAreaHeight, true);
+    renderer.fillRect(scrollBarX - LyraCarouselMetrics::values.scrollBarWidth, scrollBarY,
+                      LyraCarouselMetrics::values.scrollBarWidth, scrollBarHeight, true);
+  }
+
+  int contentWidth =
+      rect.width -
+      (totalPages > 1 ? (LyraCarouselMetrics::values.scrollBarWidth + LyraCarouselMetrics::values.scrollBarRightOffset)
+                      : 1);
+
+  // Solid black highlight bar — skip if selected item is a separator
+  const bool selectedIsSeparator = (selectedIndex >= 0 && selectedIndex < itemCount && rowTitle != nullptr &&
+                                    UITheme::isSeparatorTitle(rowTitle(selectedIndex)));
+  if (selectedIndex >= 0 && !selectedIsSeparator) {
+    renderer.fillRoundedRect(
+        rect.x + LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding, rect.y + selectedIndex % pageItems * rowHeight,
+        contentWidth - LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding * 2, rowHeight, kCornerRadius, Color::Black);
+  }
+
+  int textX = rect.x + LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding + hPad;
+  int textWidth = contentWidth - LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding * 2 - hPad * 2;
+  int iconSize = 0;
+  if (rowIcon != nullptr) {
+    iconSize = (rowSubtitle != nullptr) ? mainMenuIconSz : listIconSz;
+    textX += iconSize + hPad;
+    textWidth -= iconSize + hPad;
+  }
+
+  const auto pageStartIndex = selectedIndex / pageItems * pageItems;
+  const int iconY = (rowSubtitle != nullptr) ? 16 : 10;
+  for (int i = pageStartIndex; i < itemCount && i < pageStartIndex + pageItems; i++) {
+    const int itemY = rect.y + (i % pageItems) * rowHeight;
+    const bool sel = (i == selectedIndex);
+    int rowTextWidth = textWidth;
+
+    int valueWidth = 0;
+    std::string valueText;
+    if (rowValue != nullptr) {
+      valueText = rowValue(i);
+      valueText = renderer.truncatedText(UI_10_FONT_ID, valueText.c_str(), maxValWidth);
+      valueWidth = renderer.getTextWidth(UI_10_FONT_ID, valueText.c_str()) + hPad;
+      rowTextWidth -= valueWidth;
+    }
+
+    auto itemName = rowTitle(i);
+    if (UITheme::isSeparatorTitle(itemName)) {
+      itemName = UITheme::stripSeparatorTitle(itemName);
+      drawListSeparator(renderer,
+                        Rect{rect.x + LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding, itemY,
+                             contentWidth - LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding * 2, rowHeight},
+                        textX, rowTextWidth, itemName);
+      continue;
+    }
+    auto item = renderer.truncatedText(UI_10_FONT_ID, itemName.c_str(), rowTextWidth);
+    renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID, textX, itemY + 7, item.c_str(), !sel);
+
+    if (rowIcon != nullptr) {
+      const uint8_t* iconBitmap = iconForName(rowIcon(i), iconSize);
+      if (iconBitmap != nullptr) {
+        const int ix = rect.x + LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding + hPad;
+        if (sel)
+          renderer.drawIconInverted(iconBitmap, ix, itemY + iconY, iconSize, iconSize);
+        else
+          renderer.drawIcon(iconBitmap, ix, itemY + iconY, iconSize, iconSize);
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (rowSubtitle != nullptr) {
+      std::string subtitleText = rowSubtitle(i);
+      auto subtitle = renderer.truncatedText(SMALL_FONT_ID, subtitleText.c_str(), rowTextWidth);
+      renderer.drawText(SMALL_FONT_ID, textX, itemY + 30, subtitle.c_str(), !sel);
+    }
+
+    if (!valueText.empty()) {
+      if (sel && highlightValue) {
+        renderer.fillRoundedRect(
+            rect.x + contentWidth - LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding - hPad - valueWidth, itemY,
+            valueWidth + hPad, rowHeight, cornerRadius, Color::Black);
+      }
+      renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID,
+                        rect.x + contentWidth - LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding - valueWidth, itemY + 6,
+                        valueText.c_str(), !sel);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Tab bar — solid black background + solid black active tab, inverted text
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void LyraCarouselTheme::drawTabBar(const GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, const std::vector<TabInfo>& tabs,
+                                   bool selected) const {
+  constexpr int hPad = 8;
+  int currentX = rect.x + LyraCarouselMetrics::values.contentSidePadding;
+
+  for (const auto& tab : tabs) {
+    const int textWidth = renderer.getTextWidth(UI_10_FONT_ID, tab.label, EpdFontFamily::REGULAR);
+
+    if (tab.selected) {
+      if (selected) {
+        renderer.fillRoundedRect(currentX, rect.y + 1, textWidth + 2 * hPad, rect.height - 4, kCornerRadius,
+                                 Color::Black);
+      } else {
+        renderer.drawRoundedRect(currentX, rect.y, textWidth + 2 * hPad, rect.height - 3, 1, kCornerRadius, true);
+      }
+    }
+
+    renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID, currentX + hPad, rect.y + 6, tab.label, !(tab.selected && selected),
+                      EpdFontFamily::REGULAR);
+
+    currentX += textWidth + LyraCarouselMetrics::values.tabSpacing + 2 * hPad;
+  }
+
+  renderer.drawLine(rect.x, rect.y + rect.height - 1, rect.x + rect.width - 1, rect.y + rect.height - 1, true);
+}
diff --git a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..63019665
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <utility>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.h"
+
+class GfxRenderer;
+class Epub;
+class Txt;
+class Xtc;
+
+// Lyra Carousel theme metrics (zero runtime cost)
+namespace LyraCarouselMetrics {
+constexpr ThemeMetrics values = {.batteryWidth = 16,
+                                 .batteryHeight = 12,
+                                 .topPadding = 5,
+                                 .batteryBarHeight = 40,
+                                 .headerHeight = 84,
+                                 .verticalSpacing = 16,
+                                 .contentSidePadding = 20,
+                                 .listRowHeight = 40,
+                                 .listWithSubtitleRowHeight = 60,
+                                 .menuRowHeight = 64,
+                                 .menuSpacing = 8,
+                                 .tabSpacing = 8,
+                                 .tabBarHeight = 40,
+                                 .scrollBarWidth = 4,
+                                 .scrollBarRightOffset = 5,
+                                 .homeTopPadding = 56,
+                                 .homeCoverHeight = 600,
+                                 .homeCoverTileHeight = 660,
+                                 .homeRecentBooksCount = 5,
+                                 .homeContinueReadingInMenu = false,
+                                 .homeMenuTopOffset = 16,
+                                 .buttonHintsHeight = 40,
+                                 .sideButtonHintsWidth = 30,
+                                 .progressBarHeight = 16,
+                                 .progressBarMarginTop = 1,
+                                 .statusBarHorizontalMargin = 5,
+                                 .statusBarVerticalMargin = 19,
+                                 .keyboardKeyWidth = 31,
+                                 .keyboardKeyHeight = 50,
+                                 .keyboardKeySpacing = 0,
+                                 .keyboardBottomKeyHeight = 35,
+                                 .keyboardBottomKeySpacing = 5,
+                                 .keyboardBottomAligned = true,
+                                 .keyboardCenteredText = true,
+                                 .keyboardVerticalOffset = -7,
+                                 .keyboardTextFieldWidthPercent = 85,
+                                 .keyboardWidthPercent = 90,
+                                 .keyboardKeyCornerRadius = 6};
+}
+
+class LyraCarouselTheme : public LyraTheme {
+ public:
+  // Exact pixel dimensions for each carousel slot — used for exact-size thumbnail generation
+  static constexpr int kCenterCoverW = 340;
+  static constexpr int kCenterCoverH = LyraCarouselMetrics::values.homeCoverHeight - 60;  // 540
+  static constexpr int kSideCoverW = 200;
+  static constexpr int kSideCoverH = LyraCarouselMetrics::values.homeCoverHeight - 210;  // 390
+
+  static void setPreRenderIndex(int idx);
+
+  HomeNavigation getHomeNavigation() const override { return HomeNavigation::Carousel; }
+  std::vector<std::pair<int, int>> getCoverThumbSizes(int /*coverHeight*/) const override {
+    return {{kCenterCoverW, kCenterCoverH}, {kSideCoverW, kSideCoverH}};
+  }
+  bool tryFastHomeRender(GfxRenderer& renderer, const std::vector<RecentBook>& recentBooks, int selectorIndex,
+                         int menuCount, const std::function<std::string(int)>& menuLabel,
+                         const std::function<UIIcon(int)>& menuIcon, const char* hintBtn1, const char* hintBtn2,
+                         const char* hintBtn3, const char* hintBtn4) const override;
+  void onBookWillClose(const std::string& path, Epub* epub, Xtc* xtc, Txt* txt) override;
+  void invalidateFrameCache() override;
+
+  void drawRecentBookCover(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, const std::vector<RecentBook>& recentBooks,
+                           const int selectorIndex, bool& coverRendered, bool& coverBufferStored, bool& bufferRestored,
+                           std::function<bool()> storeCoverBuffer) const override;
+  void drawButtonMenu(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, int buttonCount, int selectedIndex,
+                      const std::function<std::string(int index)>& buttonLabel,
+                      const std::function<UIIcon(int index)>& rowIcon) const override;
+  void drawList(const GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, int itemCount, int selectedIndex,
+                const std::function<std::string(int index)>& rowTitle,
+                const std::function<std::string(int index)>& rowSubtitle,
+                const std::function<UIIcon(int index)>& rowIcon, const std::function<std::string(int index)>& rowValue,
+                bool highlightValue) const override;
+  void drawTabBar(const GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect, const std::vector<TabInfo>& tabs,
+                  bool selected) const override;
+};
diff --git a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.cpp b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.cpp
index 347a1589..9ee2f037 100644
--- a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.cpp
+++ b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.cpp
@@ -81,7 +81,9 @@ void drawLyraBatteryIcon(const GfxRenderer& renderer, int x, int y, int battWidt
   }
 }
 
-const uint8_t* iconForName(UIIcon icon, int size) {
+}  // namespace
+
+const uint8_t* LyraTheme::iconForName(UIIcon icon, int size) {
   if (size == 24) {
     switch (icon) {
       case UIIcon::Folder:
@@ -125,7 +127,6 @@ const uint8_t* iconForName(UIIcon icon, int size) {
   }
   return nullptr;
 }
-}  // namespace
 
 // Reads the overall progress percent stored as the last byte of progress.bin.
 // The cache path is derived from the book path alone (no epub/xtc/txt loading needed).
diff --git a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.h b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.h
index 31de32e2..758ad84b 100644
--- a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.h
+++ b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraTheme.h
@@ -81,4 +81,5 @@ class LyraTheme : public BaseTheme {
  protected:
   static int getRecentBookProgressPercent(const RecentBook& book);
   static void drawProgressBadge(const GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect anchorRect, int progressPercent);
+  static const uint8_t* iconForName(UIIcon icon, int size);
 };