Of "Best of" anthologies generally, JoAnn Gutin wrote in Salon.com, "Those who pride themselves on the catholicity or adventurousness of their reading tastes may well take a dim view of the 'Best of' boom. I can envision intellectuals saying, with a certain hauteur, 'I would never allow someone to choose what I read.'
Generally speaking, JoAnn Gutin wrote in Salon.com, "Those who consider themselves open-minded or bold readers may be critical of the 'Best of' phenomenon. I imagine intellectuals responding with a hint of condescension, saying, 'I would never permit someone to choose my reading material.'