Books – Here In New England

Here in New England is a heartfelt collection of unforgettable stories about the people, places, and memories that connect us all. From his first published piece in Yankee in 1979 to his retirement in 2025 as the magazine’s editor, former Yankee Magazine Editor Mel Allen has captured the unique essence of New England and the communities that call it home.

For the first time, Allen brings together 45 of his favorite essays in the book, Here in New England, each paired with new introductions and postscripts that offer deeper context and reflection. The feel and flavor of New England, its landscapes, its characters, its quiet moments of courage and kindness, live within the covers of this engaging collection.

This collection highlights the voices and stories that have shaped New England for decades. Readers will find portraits of remarkable everyday people, glimpses into rural and coastal life, and thoughtful explorations of the traditions that define the region. Whether familiar or surprising, each story reflects Mel Allen’s gift for noticing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Recently, Here in New England was selected by The Boston Globe as one of the best holiday gifts under $25, a recognition that underscores the book’s broad appeal and enduring resonance. This kind of press spotlight not only affirms its cultural significance but also creates an opportunity for holiday shoppers looking for a meaningful, affordable gift.

• Portraits of New Englanders, ordinary, extraordinary, and everything in between
• Essays that highlight the humor, resilience, and traditions of the region
• Reflections on community, landscape, and the meaning of home

• Honest and heartfelt storytelling
• Moments of wonder, nostalgia, and discovery

A timeless tribute to the region Mel Allen has chronicled for decades

Mel Allen has spent nearly half a century discovering and sharing the stories of New England. Over his long career at Yankee Magazine, he served as writer, senior editor, executive editor, and ultimately became its fifth editor in 2006.
In 2018, he was inducted into the Folio Magazine Hall of Fame for editorial excellence. Allen has also taught magazine writing and creative nonfiction for more than 25 years at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and in the MFA program at Bay Path University.
His previous book is A Coach’s Letter to His Son. He lives and writes in New Hampshire.

Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus:
“Time to meet Mel Allen’s Yankee neighbors: some are geniuses, some are ordinary. Some are lucky, others underdogs. But their stories all brim with decency, dignity, kindness, and courage. This beautifully written book restores your faith in humanity.”

Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle:
“For 45 years at Yankee magazine, Mel Allen wrote about New England and New Englanders and what makes this place special. The stories take us to the last horse-and-buggy egg man; to a sardine packer in Maine; to a search for a lost boy; and to the people who tried to save a young man’s life. This book is a love song to and a celebration of the unique people who call New England home.”

Rowan Jacobsen, author of A Geography of Oysters:
“A portrait of a region across time that is both immediately recognizable and continuously surprising. This is not the New England of tourist brochures, and it is all the more lovely for it.”

Rachel Slade, author of Into the Raging Sea:
“With warmth and insight, this extraordinary collection honors the people, places, and quiet dramas that define New England, enriched by Mel Allen’s boundless curiosity and uncommon empathy.”

Paul Doiron, author of The Poacher’s Son:
“Mel Allen is so knowledgeable about life in New England that as you read these engaging, wide-ranging essays you might well miss the precision and beauty of his sentences.”