Barbara Occhino’s Story “Hog Wild” Published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul 2025 Spirit of Christmas Book

Author Barbara Espinosa Occhino’s delightfully funny, true story, “Hog Wild,” is published in the latest 2025 Chicken Soup for the Soul “Spirit of Christmas” book, now on sale at internet booksellers, retail stores, and bookstores, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and others. “My humorous story recounts the day a four-legged, Cuban surprise forced his way into my first Italian/American Thanksgiving,” says Barbara. Her anecdote appears in chapter one, along with 100 other nonfiction stories that capture the spirit of the holiday season. The heartwarming and uplifting collection is designed to “brighten the season and the winter beyond” and help readers de-stress with stories about mishaps, family reunions, miracles, giving, and more. It’s “Santa safe,” preserving the magic of Santa. A portion of the proceeds supports the Toys for Tots program for families across the US.

The Spirit of Christmas book already has exciting promise as a bestseller. After analyzing print book sales data from major retailers and independent bookstores in October 2025, the Circana Bookscan (formerly Nielsen) tracking service had the book at #6 on the US Self-Help bestseller list. In Canada, the book was #3 on the Globe and Mail Self-Help bestseller list based on sales at Walmart Canada.

After four decades as an award-winning marketing copywriter, Barbara Espinosa Occhino ventured into nonfiction writing and has stories featured in four Chicken Soup for the Soul books as well as magazines and other print media. Born in Cuba, her writing is inspired by the people and places that colored her life in the US and abroad. Barbara has conducted memoir writing workshops and special book signing events at Barnes &Noble, as well as at charities and senior residences. She is a volunteer student mentor, multilingual jazz singer, and theater and dance devotee. Barbara resides in Stamford, Connecticut, and co-owns a marketing agency with her husband. Visit BarbaraEntertains.com

Chicken Soup for the Soul has sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, with over 400 titles translated into 43 languages, and several on the New York Times #1 bestseller list. Beyond its successful books, Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC, is a socially conscious company offering a podcast, educational programs, licensed products, and pet products. Visit ChickenSoup.com