diff --git a/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml b/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml
index 8c5f0d88..cd6d2981 100644
--- a/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml
+++ b/lib/I18n/translations/english.yaml
@@ -324,6 +324,7 @@ 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/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
index 70e06d4b..59d6f0b5 100644
--- a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
@@ -21,39 +21,9 @@
 #include "OpdsServerStore.h"
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
 #include "components/UITheme.h"
-#include "components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h"
 #include "fontIds.h"
 
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Static carousel frame cache — survives HomeActivity re-creation so that
-// returning to home (e.g. after settings) doesn't re-read covers from SD.
-// Freed explicitly in onSelectBook() before entering the reader.
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 namespace {
-uint8_t* gCachedFrames[HomeActivity::kCarouselFrameCount] = {};
-int gCachedFrameBookIdx[HomeActivity::kCarouselFrameCount] = {-1, -1, -1};
-int gCachedFrameCount = 0;
-std::string gCacheKey;
-
-int findFrameSlot(int bookIdx) {
-  for (int i = 0; i < HomeActivity::kCarouselFrameCount; ++i) {
-    if (gCachedFrameBookIdx[i] == bookIdx && gCachedFrames[i] != nullptr) return i;
-  }
-  return -1;
-}
-
-void invalidateCarouselCache() {
-  for (int i = 0; i < HomeActivity::kCarouselFrameCount; ++i) {
-    if (gCachedFrames[i]) {
-      free(gCachedFrames[i]);
-      gCachedFrames[i] = nullptr;
-    }
-    gCachedFrameBookIdx[i] = -1;
-  }
-  gCachedFrameCount = 0;
-  gCacheKey.clear();
-}
-
 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;
@@ -177,19 +147,40 @@ 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);
+      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;
+          }
+        }
 
-          // Try to generate thumbnail image for Continue Reading card
-          bool success = epub.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
+        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 = "";
@@ -199,12 +190,14 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
           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);
+        }
+      } 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 = "";
@@ -214,6 +207,20 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
             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;
+            }
           }
         }
       }
@@ -230,7 +237,6 @@ void HomeActivity::onEnter() {
   hasOpdsServers = OPDS_STORE.hasServers();
 
   selectorIndex = 0;
-  carouselFramesReady = false;
   recentsLoading = false;
   recentsLoaded = false;
   firstRenderDone = false;
@@ -244,11 +250,6 @@ void HomeActivity::onEnter() {
     recentsLoaded = true;
   }
 
-  // Pre-render carousel frames before first display so the fast path is ready.
-  if (static_cast<CrossPointSettings::UI_THEME>(SETTINGS.uiTheme) == CrossPointSettings::UI_THEME::LYRA_CAROUSEL) {
-    preRenderCarouselFrames();
-  }
-
   // Apply focus: book path takes priority, else combined selector index (covers
   // "return to the menu entry I was on").
   bool focused = false;
@@ -278,10 +279,7 @@ void HomeActivity::onEnter() {
 
 void HomeActivity::onExit() {
   Activity::onExit();
-
   freeCoverBuffer();
-  invalidateCarouselCache();
-  freeCarouselFrames();
 }
 
 bool HomeActivity::storeCoverBuffer() {
@@ -326,126 +324,12 @@ void HomeActivity::freeCoverBuffer() {
   coverBufferStored = false;
 }
 
-void HomeActivity::freeCarouselFrames() {
-  // Instance pointers are aliases into the static cache — do not free here.
-  for (int i = 0; i < kCarouselFrameCount; ++i) carouselFrames[i] = nullptr;
-  carouselFramesReady = false;
-}
-
-void HomeActivity::preRenderCarouselFrames() {
-  const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
-  if (bookCount == 0) return;
-
-  // Build cache key from book paths in order
-  std::string newKey;
-  newKey.reserve(128);
-  for (const auto& b : recentBooks) {
-    newKey += b.path;
-    newKey += '\0';
-  }
-
-  // Cache hit: same books in same order — reuse without any SD reads
-  if (newKey == gCacheKey && gCachedFrameCount > 0) {
-    for (int i = 0; i < gCachedFrameCount; ++i) carouselFrames[i] = gCachedFrames[i];
-    carouselFramesReady = true;
-    coverRendered = false;
-    coverBufferStored = false;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  // Cache miss: free old cache and re-render
-  invalidateCarouselCache();
-
-  if (!renderer.getFrameBuffer()) return;
-
-  const size_t bufferSize = renderer.getBufferSize();
-  freeCoverBuffer();  // reclaim 48KB before allocating frames
-
-  const int frameCount = std::min(bookCount, kCarouselFrameCount);
-  for (int i = 0; i < frameCount; ++i) {
-    gCachedFrames[i] = static_cast<uint8_t*>(malloc(bufferSize));
-    if (!gCachedFrames[i]) {
-      LOG_ERR("HOME", "preRenderCarouselFrames: malloc failed for frame %d", i);
-      invalidateCarouselCache();
-      return;
-    }
-  }
-
-  // Render only the currently-selected cover. Adjacent frames are populated
-  // lazily by updateSlidingWindowCache() after the first paint completes.
-  const int selectedBookIdx = (selectorIndex < bookCount) ? selectorIndex : lastCarouselBookIndex;
-  const int initialBookIdx = (selectedBookIdx >= 0 && selectedBookIdx < bookCount) ? selectedBookIdx : 0;
-  renderCarouselFrame(initialBookIdx, 0);
-
-  gCachedFrameCount = frameCount;
-  gCacheKey = newKey;
-  carouselFramesReady = true;
-  coverRendered = false;
-  coverBufferStored = false;
-}
-
-void HomeActivity::renderCarouselFrame(int bookIdx, int slotIdx) {
-  uint8_t* frameBuffer = renderer.getFrameBuffer();
-  if (!frameBuffer || !gCachedFrames[slotIdx]) return;
-
-  const auto& metrics = UITheme::getInstance().getMetrics();
-  const int pageWidth = renderer.getScreenWidth();
-  const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
-  bool dummy1 = false, dummy2 = false, dummy3 = false;
-
-  LyraCarouselTheme::setPreRenderIndex(bookIdx);
-  renderer.clearScreen();
-  GUI.drawHeader(renderer, Rect{0, metrics.topPadding, pageWidth, metrics.homeTopPadding}, nullptr);
-  GUI.drawRecentBookCover(renderer, Rect{0, metrics.homeTopPadding, pageWidth, metrics.homeCoverTileHeight},
-                          recentBooks, bookCount, dummy1, dummy2, dummy3, []() { return true; });
-
-  memcpy(gCachedFrames[slotIdx], frameBuffer, renderer.getBufferSize());
-  gCachedFrameBookIdx[slotIdx] = bookIdx;
-  carouselFrames[slotIdx] = gCachedFrames[slotIdx];
-}
-
-void HomeActivity::updateSlidingWindowCache(int centerIdx, int bookCount) {
-  if (bookCount <= kCarouselFrameCount || !carouselFramesReady) 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;
-  int maxDist = -1;
-  for (int i = 0; i < kCarouselFrameCount; ++i) {
-    if (!gCachedFrames[i]) continue;
-    const int bookInSlot = gCachedFrameBookIdx[i];
-    if (bookInSlot == centerIdx) continue;
-    if (hasPrev && bookInSlot == prevIdx) continue;
-    if (hasNext && bookInSlot == nextIdx) continue;
-    const int diff = std::abs(bookInSlot - centerIdx);
-    const int dist = std::min(diff, bookCount - diff);
-    if (dist > maxDist) {
-      maxDist = dist;
-      evictSlot = i;
-    }
-  }
-
-  if (evictSlot >= 0) {
-    LOG_DBG("HOME", "carousel: evict slot %d (book %d) -> book %d", evictSlot, gCachedFrameBookIdx[evictSlot],
-            missingIdx);
-    renderCarouselFrame(missingIdx, evictSlot);
-  }
-}
-
 void HomeActivity::loop() {
   if (menuEntriesDirty) {
     rebuildMenuEntries();
   }
 
-  const bool isCarousel =
-      static_cast<CrossPointSettings::UI_THEME>(SETTINGS.uiTheme) == CrossPointSettings::UI_THEME::LYRA_CAROUSEL;
+  const bool isCarousel = (GUI.getHomeNavigation() == HomeNavigation::Carousel);
 
   if (isCarousel) {
     const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
@@ -525,21 +409,43 @@ 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,
@@ -555,7 +461,8 @@ 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();
diff --git a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h
index a33d6227..a161d4ec 100644
--- a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h
+++ b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.h
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ struct Rect;
 
 class HomeActivity final : public Activity {
  public:
-  static constexpr int kCarouselFrameCount = 3;
-
   enum class MenuAction {
     FileBrowser,
     Recents,
@@ -39,20 +37,17 @@ class HomeActivity final : public Activity {
   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* carouselFrames[kCarouselFrameCount] = {nullptr, nullptr, nullptr};
-  bool carouselFramesReady = false;
+  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);
@@ -61,10 +56,6 @@ class HomeActivity final : public Activity {
   bool storeCoverBuffer();
   bool restoreCoverBuffer();
   void freeCoverBuffer();
-  void preRenderCarouselFrames();
-  void freeCarouselFrames();
-  void renderCarouselFrame(int bookIdx, int slotIdx);
-  void updateSlidingWindowCache(int centerIdx, int bookCount);
   void loadRecentBooks(int maxBooks);
   void loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight);
 
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
index 5ed20603..3492b024 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -241,6 +241,7 @@ 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..cb9d3a7d 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/MdReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/MdReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ 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/TxtReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp
index 0222a8cc..1cbf4fbe 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ 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..57f40936 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include "ReaderUtils.h"
 #include "RecentBooksStore.h"
 #include "XtcReaderChapterSelectionActivity.h"
+#include "components/UITheme.h"
 #include "fontIds.h"
 
 void XtcReaderActivity::onEnter() {
@@ -52,6 +53,8 @@ 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.h b/src/components/UITheme.h
index 6cd03473..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,
diff --git a/src/components/themes/BaseTheme.h b/src/components/themes/BaseTheme.h
index dd116ad3..f42f9b3f 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
 
@@ -159,9 +168,32 @@ class BaseTheme {
                                const char* secondaryLabel = nullptr, KeyboardKeyType keyType = KeyboardKeyType::Normal,
                                bool inactiveSelection = false) const;
   virtual bool showsFileIcons() const { return false; }
-  virtual void drawCarouselBorder(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect coverRect, bool inCarouselRow) const {}
 
-  // 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) {}
+
+  // ---- 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/LyraCarouselTheme.cpp b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.cpp
index 83052e3a..8f591623 100644
--- a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.cpp
+++ b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.cpp
@@ -1,9 +1,17 @@
 #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>
 
@@ -70,6 +78,23 @@ const uint8_t* iconBitmapFor(UIIcon icon) {
       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 = 3;
+uint8_t* gCachedFrames[kFrameCount] = {};
+int gCachedFrameBookIdx[kFrameCount] = {-1, -1, -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;
+}
 }  // namespace
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -77,13 +102,159 @@ const uint8_t* iconBitmapFor(UIIcon icon) {
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void LyraCarouselTheme::setPreRenderIndex(int idx) { lastCarouselSelectorIndex = idx; }
 
-void LyraCarouselTheme::drawCarouselBorder(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect coverRect, bool inCarouselRow) const {
-  if (!inCarouselRow) return;
-  const int screenW = renderer.getScreenWidth();
-  const int centerX = (screenW - kCenterCoverMaxW) / 2;
-  const int centerTileY = coverRect.y + kCoverTopPad;
-  renderer.drawRoundedRect(centerX, centerTileY, kCenterCoverMaxW, kCenterCoverMaxH, kSelectionLineW, kCornerRadius,
-                           true);
+void LyraCarouselTheme::invalidateFrameCache() const {
+  for (int i = 0; i < kFrameCount; ++i) {
+    if (gCachedFrames[i]) {
+      free(gCachedFrames[i]);
+      gCachedFrames[i] = nullptr;
+    }
+    gCachedFrameBookIdx[i] = -1;
+  }
+  gCachedFrameCount = 0;
+  gCacheKey.clear();
+}
+
+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().drawHeader(renderer, Rect{0, metrics.topPadding, pageWidth, metrics.homeTopPadding},
+                                               nullptr);
+  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';
+  }
+
+  bool framesReady = (newKey == gCacheKey && gCachedFrameCount > 0);
+
+  if (!framesReady) {
+    // Free old cache and allocate fresh frames
+    invalidateFrameCache();
+    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);
+        invalidateFrameCache();
+        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;
+    framesReady = true;
+  }
+
+  const bool inCarouselRow = (selectorIndex < bookCount);
+  const int centerIdx =
+      inCarouselRow ? selectorIndex : (lastCarouselSelectorIndex >= 0 ? lastCarouselSelectorIndex : 0);
+  const int slotIdx = findFrameSlot(centerIdx);
+  if (slotIdx < 0 || !gCachedFrames[slotIdx]) return false;
+
+  memcpy(frameBuffer, gCachedFrames[slotIdx], bufferSize);
+
+  // 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;
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -144,7 +315,6 @@ void LyraCarouselTheme::drawRecentBookCover(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect rect,
           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);
-          renderer.maskRoundedRectOutsideCorners(x, y, maxW, maxH, kCornerRadius, Color::White);
           hasCover = true;
         }
         file.close();
diff --git a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h
index 7cd60ce7..a848d949 100644
--- a/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h
+++ b/src/components/themes/lyra/LyraCarouselTheme.h
@@ -1,9 +1,15 @@
 
 #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 {
@@ -56,13 +62,24 @@ class LyraCarouselTheme : public LyraTheme {
   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() const;
+
   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 drawCarouselBorder(GfxRenderer& renderer, Rect coverRect, bool inCarouselRow) 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,