If reading on the job is important to you - then take the big fake books to Staples and have them REbind it into smaller, lighter packages. I personally, HATE to read on stage (for alot of reasons, but mostly because it takes my eyes off the crowd), but for the occasional chart - I have a three ring binder (1" thick)with clear plastic "slip in" pages. That way I can just bring the specific charts I need and the book is very light and organized.
I don't recomend reading (it's a crutch) if you can help it. Try to memorize chord patterns - NOT notes. It's much easier to remember. How many songs use:
C Am F G7 ??? Thousands !!!!
It's not as hard as you may think to remember LOTS & LOTS of different songs because they all share similar patterns or sequences. Break them up into sections and you'll see what I mean.