diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/routes/about.py b/kjvstudy_org/routes/about.py
index 4686272..854e2e0 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/routes/about.py
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/routes/about.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """About routes - stats, cross-references index, and about page."""
+import asyncio
 import json
 import re
 from collections import defaultdict
@@ -22,12 +23,11 @@ def init_templates(t: Jinja2Templates):
 
 
 # =============================================================================
-# Routes
+# Helper Functions (run in thread pool)
 # =============================================================================
 
-@router.get("/about/stats", response_class=HTMLResponse)
-async def stats(request: Request):
-    """Hidden statistics page - comprehensive site metrics"""
+def _compute_stats() -> dict:
+    """Compute all statistics - runs in thread pool to avoid blocking."""
     data_dir = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "data"
 
     # Bible statistics
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ async def stats(request: Request):
         total_hebrew_entries = 0
         total_greek_entries = 0
 
-    stats_data = {
+    return {
         'bible': {
             'total_verses': total_verses,
             'total_books': total_books,
@@ -207,27 +207,9 @@ async def stats(request: Request):
         }
     }
 
-    books = bible.get_books()
-    breadcrumbs = [
-        {"text": "Home", "url": "/"},
-        {"text": "About", "url": "/about"},
-        {"text": "Statistics", "url": None}
-    ]
 
-    return templates.TemplateResponse(
-        "stats.html",
-        {
-            "request": request,
-            "books": books,
-            "stats": stats_data,
-            "breadcrumbs": breadcrumbs,
-        }
-    )
-
-
-@router.get("/about/cross-references", response_class=HTMLResponse)
-async def cross_references_index(request: Request):
-    """Cross-references index - list all verses with cross-references"""
+def _compute_crossref_index() -> tuple:
+    """Compute cross-reference index - runs in thread pool."""
     data_dir = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "data" / "cross_references"
 
     # Build index of all verses with cross-references, grouped by book
@@ -273,6 +255,43 @@ async def cross_references_index(request: Request):
         for verses in chapters.values()
     )
 
+    return crossref_index, total_books, total_verses, total_refs
+
+
+# =============================================================================
+# Routes
+# =============================================================================
+
+@router.get("/about/stats", response_class=HTMLResponse)
+async def stats(request: Request):
+    """Hidden statistics page - comprehensive site metrics"""
+    # Run heavy computation in thread pool
+    stats_data = await asyncio.to_thread(_compute_stats)
+
+    books = bible.get_books()
+    breadcrumbs = [
+        {"text": "Home", "url": "/"},
+        {"text": "About", "url": "/about"},
+        {"text": "Statistics", "url": None}
+    ]
+
+    return templates.TemplateResponse(
+        "stats.html",
+        {
+            "request": request,
+            "books": books,
+            "stats": stats_data,
+            "breadcrumbs": breadcrumbs,
+        }
+    )
+
+
+@router.get("/about/cross-references", response_class=HTMLResponse)
+async def cross_references_index(request: Request):
+    """Cross-references index - list all verses with cross-references"""
+    # Run heavy I/O in thread pool
+    crossref_index, total_books, total_verses, total_refs = await asyncio.to_thread(_compute_crossref_index)
+
     books = bible.get_books()
     breadcrumbs = [
         {"text": "Home", "url": "/"},
diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/routes/commentary.py b/kjvstudy_org/routes/commentary.py
index 467719c..ef22966 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/routes/commentary.py
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/routes/commentary.py
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@ This module contains the commentary generation system including:
 - Helper functions for generating theological commentary
 - Book summaries, chapter overviews, and verse analysis
 """
+import asyncio
 import json
 import random
+from collections import defaultdict
 from functools import lru_cache
 from pathlib import Path
 from fastapi import APIRouter, Request, HTTPException
@@ -20,10 +22,8 @@ router = APIRouter(tags=["Commentary"])
 templates = None
 
 
-@router.get("/about/commentary", response_class=HTMLResponse)
-async def commentary_index(request: Request):
-    """Commentary index - list all verses with commentary"""
-    from collections import defaultdict
+def _compute_commentary_index() -> tuple:
+    """Compute commentary index - runs in thread pool."""
     from ..utils.books import OT_BOOKS, NT_BOOKS
 
     data_dir = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "data" / "verse_commentary"
@@ -58,6 +58,15 @@ async def commentary_index(request: Request):
         for verses in chapters.values()
     )
 
+    return commentary_index, total_books, total_verses
+
+
+@router.get("/about/commentary", response_class=HTMLResponse)
+async def commentary_index(request: Request):
+    """Commentary index - list all verses with commentary"""
+    # Run heavy I/O in thread pool
+    commentary_idx, total_books, total_verses = await asyncio.to_thread(_compute_commentary_index)
+
     breadcrumbs = [
         {"text": "Home", "url": "/"},
         {"text": "About", "url": "/about"},
@@ -73,7 +82,7 @@ async def commentary_index(request: Request):
         {
             "request": request,
             "books": books,
-            "commentary_index": commentary_index,
+            "commentary_index": commentary_idx,
             "total_books": total_books,
             "total_verses": total_verses,
             "breadcrumbs": breadcrumbs,
diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py b/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py
index e17e1c9..37ada55 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/routes/misc.py
@@ -413,7 +413,8 @@ async def og_image_verse(
         # Return default image if verse not found
         from pathlib import Path as PathLib
         default_path = PathLib(__file__).parent.parent / "static" / "og-image.png"
-        return Response(content=default_path.read_bytes(), media_type="image/png")
+        content = await asyncio.to_thread(default_path.read_bytes)
+        return Response(content=content, media_type="image/png")
 
     title = f"{book} {chapter}:{verse}"
     cache_key = f"verse:{book}:{chapter}:{verse}"