Does it Make Sense to Read Other People's Stories?

Remember when those "Chicken Soup" books started to come out?  Meant to inspire and motivate, blah blah blah.  Well the web is crowded with stories of future mommies who have been in the same spot as me and have come through like champs.  And then of course there are the horror stories.  Terrible, saddening, maddening stories of unexplained loss and the deep depression that follows.  Should I be preparing for both?  Even as I type that, I know I need to stay positive, especially since this is DAY 3.  Clearly I am not a natural at bed rest!