Final answer:
Zora Neale Hurston valued the books from the ladies from Minnesota because they connected her to the intellectual community, affirmed her literary pursuits, and provided inspiration for her own groundbreaking work in literature and anthropology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zora Neale Hurston treasures the books sent by the ladies from Minnesota because these books most likely provided her with a connection to an intellectual world and offered her insights and knowledge that she may have craved as a developing writer and anthropologist. Considering Hurston's background and her contributions to literature as a significant figure in the Harlem Renaissance, the books would have represented both an affirmation of her literary ambitions and a precious resource for learning and inspiration. The act of receiving books from afar would also suggest a level of support and acknowledgment from others, which is particularly meaningful considering the relative obscurity she faced later in life. Hurston's focus on celebrating African-American culture and her anthropological interests made books a valuable means of connecting with the wider world of academia and literature, which she actively participated in through her numerous works such as Mules and Men and Their Eyes Were Watching God.