I often learn from the experiences of others, both from reading books and from people I know. Things happen to them that don't happen to me and it's good to analyse what I would do in that situation and learn from the consequences I see that person or people get.
Besides, these experiences are real, written by real people, and that's what matters most.
I figured you'd be of the same opinion.
We learn twice, from ourselves and our mistakes and from the experiences of others. This way you improve faster.