A couple books, but no new novel

pretty much sums up my outing to the public library this afternoon. I actually want to read The Golden Compass, but there weren't any copies in today. So...I checked out a couple of books about sewing. Yes, I know how to sew straight lines, but the couple of times I tried making clothes ended in disaster. I have found a couple of clothing patterns that interest me, so I figured if I started reading up now, maybe I'd have more success later when I try to make clothes again. I'm also hoping that I can be a wee bit more patient with the sewing this time around--I'm a few years older, maybe I've mellowed ever so slightly (?).