I agree that the no algorithm hill gets annoying once you’re following enough people.
What I don’t understand is why they don’t setup something like Bluesky has where you can choose which algorithm you want, including those not made directly by the Bluesky team: https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/26/23739174/bluesky-custom-feeds-algorithms-twitter-alternative
One of those algorithms could just be a chronological feed that some people seem dead set on sticking with. Everyone can be happy.
Another KOReader recommendation here. I typically use it on an eink device but also have it on my phone and it works well.
Looks like for syncing there’s a plugin:
https://github.com/koreader/koreader/wiki/Progress-sync