I agree with the other ladies about believing that you can do it! That makes a huge difference. The mind, I think, is just about the most powerful thing in labour! I know it made a big difference from my first labour to my second. With my first, I was afraid, and I didn't know how bad it was going to get. (I had a great labour with both my babies - 7 hours from first ctx to baby in my arms, and no tearing, both times!) I found it very helpful to have a quiet room, and when I felt the contraction coming, I pictured it like a wave coming it, washing over me, and then receding. The most important part was to remember as the wave was coming in that it WOULD recede! And then just breathe slowly, picture your body relaxing and opening to let your baby out, and remember that you can do it!
Changing position is important, don't labour on your back! Walk for as long as you can. And if you can get into the water in some way - do it! Whether it's the bath, or the shower, or a whirlpool tub, I found it to be as good as drugs!
As far as preparation and reading books goes, be as informed as you can about what your body is doing, so that you will have some idea of what to expect. Your birth support person (DH? Mother? Friend?) should also be informed, so that they will feel prepared and not be afraid and unable to support you if this is their first time coaching a woman in labour.
That being said, I think that a lot of women get caught up in studying these books almost as if labour was a test that they were preparing for, and studying would help them pass. It's not. Labour is an overwhelming, all consuming, indescribable thing, and reading about it isn't going to change that. So I would recommend that you get to know the fundamentals of what your body is going to do in labour, but don't get caught up in studying book after book on it. And whether you use drugs or not, whether your baby is delivered with or without intervention, whether you have a spontaneous labour or a caesarian, you have succeeded - you birthed your baby.
Hope all goes well for your delivery!