Since we can't place sideloaded content onto the homescreen here's a way to gain quick access to several books/periodicals/docs you're reading without using the homescreen drop down list.
Do this after you have created all of your shelves.
Access My Shelves. Sort by Most Recent. Create a new shelf, Current Reads or something similar. Place all of the books/periodicals/docs that you're currently reading on this shelf. Your current reads always appear as the first shelf, making it easy for you to grab from your current reading pile.
If you have to add other shelves down the road, thus making Current Reads no longer the most recent one, delete the shelf and start the above process again. Don't forget to sort by Most Recent.
Edit: Someone has a twist on this. Much better than what I said to do.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...0&postcount=48