Some recent short woven pieces are becoming origami-style bags, or what are now termed "bento bags". Do a search, and you will find hundreds of examples and instructions galore on the net. These bags are really easy to sew, and quite useful around the studio (and at the grocery).
The requirements are simple: a piece of fabric three times as long as it is wide.
The asymmetric stripes in the warp take on interesting relationships after the folding.
In the book department, I just finished reading a pretty good police procedural, Peter Robinson's "Aftermath." Fair warning: lots of blood and gore, but the characters are well developed and the story cleverly plotted. Take this one to the beach. Summer will be here before you know it.