diff --git a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
index 2262b901..df676eb7 100644
--- a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
@@ -308,6 +308,7 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
             if (FsHelpers::hasEpubExtension(book.path)) {
               Epub epub(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
               epub.load(true, true);
+              epub.load(true, 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;
@@ -334,6 +335,7 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
             if (FsHelpers::hasEpubExtension(book.path)) {
               Epub epub(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
               epub.load(true, true);
+              epub.load(true, true);
               bool success = epub.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
               if (!success) {
                 RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, book.series, "");
@@ -470,6 +472,11 @@ void HomeActivity::loop() {
       return;
     }
 
+    if (firstRenderDone && !recentsLoaded && !recentsLoading) {
+      loadRecentCovers(UITheme::getInstance().getMetrics().homeCoverHeight);
+      return;
+    }
+
     const int bookCount = static_cast<int>(recentBooks.size());
     const int menuItemCount = static_cast<int>(menuEntries.size());
     const bool inCarouselRow = (selectorIndex < bookCount);