@agnostyc - this is how I've handled conference papers.
- Keep PDFs in a separate folder
- Create empty book for conference
- Put links to the papers in empty book comments
- That gives me an index and links to click on
Sample attached
The ONE file would be my notes.
BR
PS : Links in comments or long text custom columns can be used for 'anything' - I use them for files (video, audio, even a game or two), folders, Evernote Notes, FTP links, OneNote Pages, HTML links...