feat: unified chapter picker overlay + currently reading quick-switch modal on reader

- getReadyChaptersForSlug(slug, preferredVoice) in pocketbase.ts: per-slug done jobs map, cached 60s, prefers user's voice
- GET /api/audio/chapters?slug=&voice= endpoint
- Chapter list (/books/[slug]/chapters): amber headphones icon on ready rows, play button for instant listen, banner showing ready count
- Chapter reader: audioReady + availableVoice from server load; 'Audio ready — Listen now' banner shown when audio exists and player is not yet active; sets voice preference before expanding player

ui/src/lib/components/ChapterPickerOverlay.svelte

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 		zIndex?: string;
 		/** Called when a chapter row is tapped. The overlay does NOT close itself. */
 		onselect: (chapterNumber: number) => void;
-		/** Called when the close / chevron-down button is tapped. */
+		/** Called when the close (✕) button is tapped. */
 		onclose: () => void;
 	}
 
@@ -40,12 +40,6 @@
 			  )
 	);
 
-	/** Scroll the active chapter into view instantly (no animation) when the
-	 *  list is first rendered so the user never has to hunt for their position. */
-	function scrollIfActive(node: HTMLElement, isActive: boolean) {
-		if (isActive) node.scrollIntoView({ block: 'center', behavior: 'instant' });
-	}
-
 	function handleClose() {
 		search = '';
 		onclose();
@@ -73,9 +67,9 @@
 			class="p-2 rounded-full text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text) hover:bg-(--color-surface-2) transition-colors"
 			aria-label="Close chapter picker"
 		>
-			<!-- chevron-down -->
+			<!-- close / ✕ -->
 			<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-				<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M19 9l-7 7-7-7"/>
+				<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12"/>
 			</svg>
 		</button>
 		<span class="text-xs font-semibold text-(--color-muted) uppercase tracking-wider flex-1">Chapters</span>
@@ -105,7 +99,6 @@
 			<button
 				type="button"
 				onclick={() => handleSelect(ch.number)}
-				use:scrollIfActive={ch.number === activeChapter}
 				class={cn(
 					'w-full flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 border-b border-(--color-border)/40 transition-colors text-left',
 					ch.number === activeChapter ? 'bg-(--color-brand)/8' : 'hover:bg-(--color-surface-2)'

ui/src/lib/components/CurrentlyReadingModal.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+	import { browser } from '$app/environment';
+	import { goto } from '$app/navigation';
+	import { cn } from '$lib/utils';
+
+	interface Book {
+		slug: string;
+		title: string;
+		cover?: string;
+		author?: string;
+		genres?: string[] | string;
+	}
+
+	interface ReadingEntry {
+		book: Book;
+		chapter: number;
+	}
+
+	interface Props {
+		/** The slug of the book currently being read — highlighted in the list. */
+		currentSlug: string;
+		onclose: () => void;
+	}
+
+	let { currentSlug, onclose }: Props = $props();
+
+	let entries = $state<ReadingEntry[]>([]);
+	let loading = $state(true);
+	let error   = $state('');
+
+	// ── Fetch in-progress books on mount ──────────────────────────────────────
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (!browser) return;
+		(async () => {
+			try {
+				const res = await fetch('/api/home');
+				if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`HTTP ${res.status}`);
+				const data = await res.json() as { continue_reading: ReadingEntry[] };
+				entries = data.continue_reading ?? [];
+			} catch {
+				error = 'Failed to load your reading list.';
+			} finally {
+				loading = false;
+			}
+		})();
+	});
+
+	// ── Body scroll lock ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (!browser) return;
+		const prev = document.body.style.overflow;
+		document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden';
+		return () => { document.body.style.overflow = prev; };
+	});
+
+	// ── Keyboard: Escape closes ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+	function onKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+		if (e.key === 'Escape') onclose();
+	}
+
+	// ── Navigate to a book's current chapter ─────────────────────────────────
+	function openBook(entry: ReadingEntry) {
+		onclose();
+		goto(`/books/${entry.book.slug}/chapters/${entry.chapter}`);
+	}
+
+	function parseGenres(genres: string[] | string | undefined): string[] {
+		if (!genres) return [];
+		if (Array.isArray(genres)) return genres;
+		try { const p = JSON.parse(genres); return Array.isArray(p) ? p : []; } catch { return []; }
+	}
+</script>
+
+<svelte:window onkeydown={onKeydown} />
+
+<!-- Backdrop -->
+<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+<div
+	class="fixed inset-0 z-[70] flex flex-col"
+	style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.6); backdrop-filter: blur(4px);"
+	onpointerdown={(e) => { if (e.target === e.currentTarget) onclose(); }}
+>
+	<!-- Panel — matches SearchModal style -->
+	<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+	<div
+		class="w-full max-w-2xl mx-auto mt-0 sm:mt-16 flex flex-col bg-(--color-surface) sm:rounded-2xl border-b sm:border border-(--color-border) shadow-2xl overflow-hidden"
+		style="max-height: 100svh;"
+		onpointerdown={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+	>
+		<!-- Header row -->
+		<div class="flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 border-b border-(--color-border) shrink-0">
+			<svg class="w-5 h-5 text-(--color-muted) shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+				<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M12 6.253v13m0-13C10.832 5.477 9.246 5 7.5 5S4.168 5.477 3 6.253v13C4.168 18.477 5.754 18 7.5 18s3.332.477 4.5 1.253m0-13C13.168 5.477 14.754 5 16.5 5c1.747 0 3.332.477 4.5 1.253v13C19.832 18.477 18.247 18 16.5 18c-1.746 0-3.332.477-4.5 1.253"/>
+			</svg>
+			<span class="flex-1 text-base font-semibold text-(--color-text)">Currently Reading</span>
+			<button
+				type="button"
+				onclick={onclose}
+				class="shrink-0 px-3 py-1 rounded-lg text-sm text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-text) hover:bg-(--color-surface-2) transition-colors"
+				aria-label="Close"
+			>
+				Cancel
+			</button>
+		</div>
+
+		<!-- Scrollable body -->
+		<div class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto overscroll-contain">
+
+			{#if loading}
+				<!-- Loading skeleton -->
+				<div class="px-4 pt-3 pb-4 space-y-1">
+					{#each [1, 2, 3] as _}
+						<div class="flex items-center gap-3 px-0 py-3 border-b border-(--color-border)/40">
+							<div class="shrink-0 w-10 h-14 rounded bg-(--color-surface-3) animate-pulse"></div>
+							<div class="flex-1 space-y-2">
+								<div class="h-3.5 bg-(--color-surface-3) rounded animate-pulse w-3/4"></div>
+								<div class="h-3 bg-(--color-surface-3) rounded animate-pulse w-1/2"></div>
+							</div>
+						</div>
+					{/each}
+				</div>
+
+			{:else if error}
+				<p class="px-5 py-8 text-sm text-center text-(--color-danger)">{error}</p>
+
+			{:else if entries.length === 0}
+				<div class="px-5 py-12 text-center">
+					<p class="text-sm font-semibold text-(--color-text) mb-1">No books in progress</p>
+					<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted)">Books you start reading will appear here.</p>
+				</div>
+
+			{:else}
+				{#each entries as entry, i}
+					{@const genres = parseGenres(entry.book.genres)}
+					{@const isCurrent = entry.book.slug === currentSlug}
+					<button
+						type="button"
+						onclick={() => openBook(entry)}
+						class={cn(
+							'w-full flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 text-left transition-colors border-b border-(--color-border)/40 last:border-0',
+							isCurrent ? 'bg-(--color-brand)/8' : 'hover:bg-(--color-surface-2)'
+						)}
+					>
+						<!-- Cover thumbnail -->
+						<div class="shrink-0 w-10 h-14 rounded overflow-hidden bg-(--color-surface-2) border border-(--color-border) relative">
+							{#if entry.book.cover}
+								<img src={entry.book.cover} alt="" class="w-full h-full object-cover" loading="lazy" />
+							{:else}
+								<div class="w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center">
+									<svg class="w-5 h-5 text-(--color-muted)/40" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+										<path d="M18 2H6c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v16c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h12c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V4c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2z"/>
+									</svg>
+								</div>
+							{/if}
+						</div>
+
+						<!-- Info -->
+						<div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
+							<div class="flex items-start gap-2">
+								<p class={cn(
+									'text-sm font-semibold leading-snug line-clamp-1 flex-1',
+									isCurrent ? 'text-(--color-brand)' : 'text-(--color-text)'
+								)}>
+									{entry.book.title}
+								</p>
+								{#if isCurrent}
+									<span class="shrink-0 text-[10px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-(--color-brand)/15 text-(--color-brand) border border-(--color-brand)/30 leading-none mt-0.5">
+										Now
+									</span>
+								{/if}
+							</div>
+							{#if entry.book.author}
+								<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted) mt-0.5 truncate">{entry.book.author}</p>
+							{/if}
+							<div class="flex items-center gap-1.5 mt-1 flex-wrap">
+								<span class="text-xs text-(--color-muted)/60">Ch. {entry.chapter}</span>
+								{#each genres.slice(0, 2) as g}
+									<span class="text-[10px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-(--color-surface-3) text-(--color-muted)">{g}</span>
+								{/each}
+							</div>
+						</div>
+
+						<!-- Chevron (dimmed for current, normal for others) -->
+						<svg class={cn('w-4 h-4 shrink-0', isCurrent ? 'text-(--color-brand)/40' : 'text-(--color-muted)/40')} fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+							<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M9 5l7 7-7 7"/>
+						</svg>
+					</button>
+				{/each}
+			{/if}
+
+		</div>
+	</div>
+</div>

ui/src/lib/components/ListeningMode.svelte

@@ -98,7 +98,6 @@
 	// ── Chapter click-to-play ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	function playChapter(chapterNumber: number) {
 		audioStore.autoStartChapter = chapterNumber;
-		onclose();
 		goto(`/books/${audioStore.slug}/chapters/${chapterNumber}`);
 	}
 
@@ -434,17 +433,6 @@
 		</div>
 	{/if}
 
-	<!-- Chapter modal (full-screen overlay) -->
-	{#if showChapterModal && audioStore.chapters.length > 0}
-		<ChapterPickerOverlay
-			chapters={audioStore.chapters}
-			activeChapter={audioStore.chapter}
-			zIndex="z-[80]"
-			onselect={playChapter}
-			onclose={() => { showChapterModal = false; }}
-		/>
-	{/if}
-
 	<!-- ── Controls area (bottom half) ───────────────────────────────────── -->
 	<div class="flex-1 flex flex-col justify-end px-6 pb-6 gap-0 shrink-0 overflow-hidden" style="z-index: 2; position: relative;">
 
@@ -670,3 +658,16 @@
 
 	</div>
 </div>
+
+<!-- Chapter picker rendered OUTSIDE the transformed overlay so that
+     fixed inset-0 anchors to the real viewport, not the CSS-transformed
+     containing block (transform: translateY breaks fixed positioning). -->
+{#if showChapterModal && audioStore.chapters.length > 0}
+	<ChapterPickerOverlay
+		chapters={audioStore.chapters}
+		activeChapter={audioStore.chapter}
+		zIndex="z-[80]"
+		onselect={playChapter}
+		onclose={() => { showChapterModal = false; }}
+	/>
+{/if}

ui/src/lib/server/pocketbase.ts

@@ -1219,6 +1219,47 @@ export async function getBooksWithAudioCount(limit = 100): Promise<AudioBookEntr
 	return entries.slice(0, limit);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Returns a map of chapter number → best available voice for a given slug.
+ * "Best" means: prefer `preferredVoice` if a done job exists for it,
+ * otherwise fall back to any done voice for that chapter.
+ * Result is cached per slug for 60 seconds (audio jobs complete frequently).
+ */
+export async function getReadyChaptersForSlug(
+	slug: string,
+	preferredVoice = ''
+): Promise<Map<number, string>> {
+	const cacheKey = `audio:ready_chapters:${slug}`;
+	const cached = await cache.get<{ chapter: number; voice: string }[]>(cacheKey);
+	const raw = cached ?? await (async () => {
+		const filter = encodeURIComponent(`slug="${slug.replace(/"/g, '\\"')}"&&status="done"`);
+		const jobs = await listAll<AudioJob>('audio_jobs', filter, 'chapter');
+		const result: { chapter: number; voice: string }[] = jobs.map((j) => ({
+			chapter: j.chapter,
+			voice: j.voice ?? ''
+		}));
+		await cache.set(cacheKey, result, 60);
+		return result;
+	})();
+
+	// Build chapter → voices map
+	const byChapter = new Map<number, string[]>();
+	for (const { chapter, voice } of raw) {
+		if (!byChapter.has(chapter)) byChapter.set(chapter, []);
+		byChapter.get(chapter)!.push(voice);
+	}
+
+	// Resolve best voice per chapter
+	const result = new Map<number, string>();
+	for (const [chapter, voices] of byChapter) {
+		const best = preferredVoice && voices.includes(preferredVoice)
+			? preferredVoice
+			: voices[0] ?? '';
+		result.set(chapter, best);
+	}
+	return result;
+}
+
 // ─── Translation jobs ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export interface TranslationJob {

ui/src/routes/api/audio/chapters/+server.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import { json, error } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import type { RequestHandler } from './$types';
+import { getReadyChaptersForSlug } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
+
+export const GET: RequestHandler = async ({ url }) => {
+	const slug = url.searchParams.get('slug') ?? '';
+	if (!slug) error(400, 'slug is required');
+
+	const voice = url.searchParams.get('voice') ?? '';
+	const readyMap = await getReadyChaptersForSlug(slug, voice);
+
+	// Return array of { chapter, voice } pairs
+	const chapters = [...readyMap.entries()].map(([chapter, v]) => ({ chapter, voice: v }));
+
+	return json({ chapters }, {
+		headers: { 'Cache-Control': 'public, max-age=60' }
+	});
+};

ui/src/routes/books/[slug]/chapters/+page.server.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { error } from '@sveltejs/kit';
 import type { PageServerLoad } from './$types';
-import { getBook, listChapterIdx, getProgress } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
+import { getBook, listChapterIdx, getProgress, getReadyChaptersForSlug } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
 import { log } from '$lib/server/logger';
 
 export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ params, locals }) => {
@@ -13,20 +13,26 @@ export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ params, locals }) => {
 
 	if (!book) error(404, `Book "${slug}" not found`);
 
-	let chapters, progress;
+	let chapters, progress, readyMap;
 	try {
-		[chapters, progress] = await Promise.all([
+		[chapters, progress, readyMap] = await Promise.all([
 			listChapterIdx(slug),
-			getProgress(locals.sessionId, slug, locals.user?.id)
+			getProgress(locals.sessionId, slug, locals.user?.id),
+			getReadyChaptersForSlug(slug).catch(() => new Map<number, string>())
 		]);
 	} catch (e) {
 		log.error('chapters', 'failed to load chapters', { slug, err: String(e) });
 		throw error(500, 'Failed to load chapters');
 	}
 
+	// Serialize Map as plain object for SvelteKit data transfer
+	const readyChapters: Record<number, string> = {};
+	for (const [ch, voice] of readyMap) readyChapters[ch] = voice;
+
 	return {
 		book: { slug: book.slug, title: book.title, cover: book.cover ?? '', totalChapters: book.total_chapters },
 		chapters,
-		lastChapter: progress?.chapter ?? null
+		lastChapter: progress?.chapter ?? null,
+		readyChapters
 	};
 };

ui/src/routes/books/[slug]/chapters/+page.svelte

@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 <script lang="ts">
+	import { goto } from '$app/navigation';
+	import { audioStore } from '$lib/audio.svelte';
 	import type { PageData } from './$types';
 	import type { ChapterIdx } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
@@ -7,6 +9,18 @@
 
 	const PAGE_SIZE = 100;
 
+	// ── Ready-to-listen map ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	// readyChapters is a Record<number, string> (chapter → voice) from server
+	const readySet = $derived(new Set(Object.keys(data.readyChapters).map(Number)));
+	const readyCount = $derived(readySet.size);
+
+	function listenChapter(chapterNum: number) {
+		const voice = data.readyChapters[chapterNum];
+		if (voice) audioStore.voice = voice;
+		audioStore.autoStartChapter = chapterNum;
+		goto(`/books/${data.book.slug}/chapters/${chapterNum}`);
+	}
+
 	// ── Search ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	let searchQuery = $state('');
 
@@ -76,6 +90,20 @@
 	<h1 class="text-base font-semibold text-(--color-text) truncate">{data.book.title}</h1>
 </div>
 
+<!-- ── Audio ready banner ────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+{#if readyCount > 0}
+<div class="flex items-center gap-2.5 mb-4 px-3 py-2.5 rounded-lg bg-(--color-brand)/10 border border-(--color-brand)/25">
+	<svg class="w-4 h-4 text-(--color-brand) shrink-0" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+		<path d="M12 3a9 9 0 00-9 9v5a3 3 0 003 3h1a1 1 0 001-1v-4a1 1 0 00-1-1H5v-2a7 7 0 0114 0v2h-2a1 1 0 00-1 1v4a1 1 0 001 1h1a3 3 0 003-3v-5a9 9 0 00-9-9z"/>
+	</svg>
+	<p class="text-sm text-(--color-brand) font-medium">
+		{readyCount} chapter{readyCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''} ready to listen — tap
+		<svg class="w-3 h-3 inline-block" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/></svg>
+		to play instantly
+	</p>
+</div>
+{/if}
+
 <!-- ── Search bar ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
 <div class="relative mb-4">
 	<svg class="absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-(--color-muted) pointer-events-none" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
@@ -147,40 +175,65 @@
 	<div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
 		{#each visibleChapters as chapter}
 			{@const isCurrent = data.lastChapter === chapter.number}
-			<a
-				href="/books/{data.book.slug}/chapters/{chapter.number}"
-				id="ch-{chapter.number}"
-				class="flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2.5 rounded transition-colors group
+			{@const isReady = readySet.has(chapter.number)}
+			<div
+				class="flex items-center gap-1 rounded transition-colors group
 					{isCurrent ? 'bg-(--color-surface-2)' : 'hover:bg-(--color-surface-2)/60'}"
 			>
-				<!-- Number badge -->
-				<span
-					class="w-9 text-right text-sm font-mono flex-shrink-0
-						{isCurrent ? 'text-(--color-brand) font-semibold' : 'text-(--color-muted)'}"
+				<a
+					href="/books/{data.book.slug}/chapters/{chapter.number}"
+					id="ch-{chapter.number}"
+					class="flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2.5 flex-1 min-w-0"
 				>
-					{chapter.number}
-				</span>
-
-				<!-- Title -->
-				<span
-					class="flex-1 min-w-0 text-sm truncate transition-colors
-						{isCurrent ? 'text-(--color-brand-dim) font-medium' : 'text-(--color-text) group-hover:text-(--color-text)'}"
-				>
-					{chapter.title || m.reader_chapter_n({ n: String(chapter.number) })}
-				</span>
-
-				<!-- Date — desktop only -->
-				{#if chapter.date_label}
-					<span class="hidden sm:block text-xs text-(--color-muted) flex-shrink-0">
-						{chapter.date_label}
+					<!-- Number badge -->
+					<span
+						class="w-9 text-right text-sm font-mono flex-shrink-0
+							{isCurrent ? 'text-(--color-brand) font-semibold' : 'text-(--color-muted)'}"
+					>
+						{chapter.number}
 					</span>
-				{/if}
 
-				<!-- Reading indicator -->
-				{#if isCurrent}
-					<span class="text-xs text-(--color-brand) font-medium flex-shrink-0">{m.chapters_reading_indicator()}</span>
+					<!-- Title -->
+					<span
+						class="flex-1 min-w-0 text-sm truncate transition-colors
+							{isCurrent ? 'text-(--color-brand-dim) font-medium' : 'text-(--color-text) group-hover:text-(--color-text)'}"
+					>
+						{chapter.title || m.reader_chapter_n({ n: String(chapter.number) })}
+					</span>
+
+					<!-- Headphones icon for ready chapters -->
+					{#if isReady}
+						<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-(--color-brand) shrink-0" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-label="Audio ready">
+							<path d="M12 3a9 9 0 00-9 9v5a3 3 0 003 3h1a1 1 0 001-1v-4a1 1 0 00-1-1H5v-2a7 7 0 0114 0v2h-2a1 1 0 00-1 1v4a1 1 0 001 1h1a3 3 0 003-3v-5a9 9 0 00-9-9z"/>
+						</svg>
+					{/if}
+
+					<!-- Date — desktop only -->
+					{#if chapter.date_label}
+						<span class="hidden sm:block text-xs text-(--color-muted) flex-shrink-0">
+							{chapter.date_label}
+						</span>
+					{/if}
+
+					<!-- Reading indicator -->
+					{#if isCurrent}
+						<span class="text-xs text-(--color-brand) font-medium flex-shrink-0">{m.chapters_reading_indicator()}</span>
+					{/if}
+				</a>
+
+				<!-- Instant-play button (only for ready chapters) -->
+				{#if isReady}
+					<button
+						type="button"
+						onclick={() => listenChapter(chapter.number)}
+						class="mr-2 flex items-center justify-center w-7 h-7 rounded-full bg-(--color-brand)/15 hover:bg-(--color-brand)/30 text-(--color-brand) transition-colors shrink-0"
+						title="Listen now"
+						aria-label="Listen to chapter {chapter.number} now"
+					>
+						<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 ml-0.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/></svg>
+					</button>
 				{/if}
-			</a>
+			</div>
 		{/each}
 	</div>
 

ui/src/routes/books/[slug]/chapters/[n]/+page.server.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { error } from '@sveltejs/kit';
 import { marked } from 'marked';
 import type { PageServerLoad } from './$types';
-import { getBook, listChapterIdx } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
+import { getBook, listChapterIdx, getReadyChaptersForSlug } from '$lib/server/pocketbase';
 import { log } from '$lib/server/logger';
 import { backendFetch } from '$lib/server/scraper';
 import type { Voice } from '$lib/types';
@@ -87,18 +87,22 @@ export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ params, url, locals }) => {
 			lang: '',
 			translationStatus: 'unavailable' as string,
 			isPro: locals.isPro,
-			chapterImageUrl: null as string | null
+			chapterImageUrl: null as string | null,
+			audioReady: false,
+			availableVoice: null as string | null
 		};
 	}
 
 	// ── Normal path: fetch from PocketBase + MinIO ─────────────────────────
-	// Fetch book metadata, chapter index, voice list, and chapter image check in parallel.
+	// Fetch book metadata, chapter index, voice list, chapter image check, and
+	// audio-ready map in parallel.
 	// HEAD /api/chapter-image checks existence cheaply without downloading the image.
-	const [book, chapters, voicesRes, chapterImageRes] = await Promise.all([
+	const [book, chapters, voicesRes, chapterImageRes, readyMap] = await Promise.all([
 		getBook(slug),
 		listChapterIdx(slug),
 		backendFetch('/api/voices').catch(() => null),
-		backendFetch(`/api/chapter-image/novelfire.net/${encodeURIComponent(slug)}/${n}`, { method: 'HEAD' }).catch(() => null)
+		backendFetch(`/api/chapter-image/novelfire.net/${encodeURIComponent(slug)}/${n}`, { method: 'HEAD' }).catch(() => null),
+		getReadyChaptersForSlug(slug).catch(() => new Map<number, string>())
 	]);
 
 	if (!book) error(404, `Book "${slug}" not found`);
@@ -112,6 +116,10 @@ export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ params, url, locals }) => {
 			? `/api/chapter-image/novelfire.net/${encodeURIComponent(slug)}/${n}`
 			: null;
 
+	// Audio readiness for this specific chapter
+	const availableVoice = readyMap.get(n) ?? null;
+	const audioReady = availableVoice !== null;
+
 	// Parse voices — fall back to empty list on error
 	let voices: Voice[] = [];
 	try {
@@ -146,7 +154,9 @@ export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ params, url, locals }) => {
 			lang,
 			translationStatus: 'done',
 			isPro: locals.isPro,
-			chapterImageUrl
+			chapterImageUrl,
+			audioReady,
+			availableVoice
 				};
 			}
 			// 404 = not generated yet — fall through to original, UI can trigger generation
@@ -204,6 +214,8 @@ export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ params, url, locals }) => {
 		lang: useTranslation ? lang : '',
 		translationStatus,
 		isPro: locals.isPro,
-		chapterImageUrl
+		chapterImageUrl,
+		audioReady,
+		availableVoice
 	};
 };

ui/src/routes/books/[slug]/chapters/[n]/+page.svelte

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 	import { page } from '$app/state';
 	import AudioPlayer from '$lib/components/AudioPlayer.svelte';
 	import CommentsSection from '$lib/components/CommentsSection.svelte';
+	import CurrentlyReadingModal from '$lib/components/CurrentlyReadingModal.svelte';
 	import type { PageData } from './$types';
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
 	import { audioStore } from '$lib/audio.svelte';
@@ -22,6 +23,9 @@
 	let settingsPanelOpen = $state(false);
 	let settingsTab = $state<'reading' | 'listening'>('reading');
 
+	// ── Currently reading modal ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+	let readingModalOpen = $state(false);
+
 	const READER_FONTS = [
 		{ id: 'system', label: 'System' },
 		{ id: 'serif',  label: 'Serif'  },
@@ -427,6 +431,13 @@
 			audioExpanded = true;
 		}
 	});
+
+	// ── Audio-ready instant play ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	function listenNow() {
+		if (data.availableVoice) audioStore.voice = data.availableVoice;
+		audioStore.autoStartChapter = data.chapter.number;
+		audioExpanded = true;
+	}
 </script>
 
 <svelte:head>
@@ -510,6 +521,18 @@
 
 <!-- Chapter heading + meta + language switcher -->
 <div class="mb-6">
+	<!-- Book title — tappable, opens Currently Reading modal -->
+	<button
+		type="button"
+		onclick={() => (readingModalOpen = true)}
+		class="flex items-center gap-1 text-(--color-muted) hover:text-(--color-brand) text-sm font-medium transition-colors mb-1.5 max-w-full"
+		title="Switch book"
+	>
+		<span class="truncate">{data.book.title}</span>
+		<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 shrink-0 opacity-60" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+			<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M19 9l-7 7-7-7"/>
+		</svg>
+	</button>
 	<p class="text-xs font-semibold text-(--color-brand) uppercase tracking-widest mb-1.5">
 		{m.reader_chapter_n({ n: String(data.chapter.number) })}
 	</p>
@@ -600,6 +623,27 @@
 			</a>
 		</div>
 	{:else}
+		<!-- Audio ready prompt — shown when audio exists and player is not yet active -->
+		{#if data.audioReady && !(audioStore.slug === data.book.slug && audioStore.chapter === data.chapter.number && audioStore.active)}
+			<div class="mb-3 flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 rounded-lg bg-(--color-brand)/10 border border-(--color-brand)/30">
+				<svg class="w-5 h-5 text-(--color-brand) shrink-0" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+					<path d="M12 3a9 9 0 00-9 9v5a3 3 0 003 3h1a1 1 0 001-1v-4a1 1 0 00-1-1H5v-2a7 7 0 0114 0v2h-2a1 1 0 00-1 1v4a1 1 0 001 1h1a3 3 0 003-3v-5a9 9 0 00-9-9z"/>
+				</svg>
+				<div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
+					<p class="text-sm font-semibold text-(--color-text)">Audio ready</p>
+					<p class="text-xs text-(--color-muted)">This chapter has been narrated — listen instantly</p>
+				</div>
+				<button
+					type="button"
+					onclick={listenNow}
+					class="shrink-0 flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-(--color-brand) text-(--color-surface) text-sm font-semibold hover:bg-(--color-brand-dim) transition-colors"
+				>
+					<svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path d="M8 5v14l11-7z"/></svg>
+					Listen now
+				</button>
+			</div>
+		{/if}
+
 		<!-- Collapsible audio panel -->
 		<div class="mb-6">
 			<button
@@ -1287,3 +1331,11 @@
 </div>
 {/if}
 {/if}
+
+<!-- Currently Reading modal -->
+{#if readingModalOpen}
+	<CurrentlyReadingModal
+		currentSlug={data.book.slug}
+		onclose={() => (readingModalOpen = false)}
+	/>
+{/if}