Because we all know that the books we've loved best are seldom the ones we esteem the most highly

Because we all know that the books we've loved best are seldom the ones we esteem the most highly

Laura Miller is a well-known literary critic and journalist who has made a name for herself by offering insightful and thought-provoking commentary on a wide range of books and authors. In her work, she often explores the complex relationship between readers and the books they love, and she has written extensively on the idea that the books we cherish most deeply are not always the ones that we consider to be the most important or prestigious.

One of the key themes that Miller frequently returns to in her writing is the idea that our emotional connections to books are often more powerful and enduring than our intellectual assessments of their literary merit. She argues that the books that resonate with us on a personal level, that speak to our own experiences and emotions, are the ones that we hold most dear, regardless of their critical acclaim or cultural significance.

This idea is perhaps best encapsulated in the quote, “Because we all know that the books we've loved best are seldom the ones we esteem the most highly.” Miller suggests that our favorite books are often those that we have formed a deep and lasting bond with, that have become a part of our lives in a way that goes beyond mere admiration for their technical skill or intellectual complexity.

In her own writing, Miller often reflects on the books that have had the greatest impact on her personally, and she is not afraid to admit that some of her most beloved books are not necessarily the ones that she would consider to be the most “important” or “high-brow.” She recognizes that our tastes in literature are deeply subjective and shaped by our individual experiences and preferences, and she encourages readers to embrace and celebrate the books that have touched their hearts and minds, regardless of how they may be perceived by others.