Stamford Barnes & Noble Book Fun Readings & Signings with Barbara Occhino & Kelly Bakshi

The world has been through so much in the past couple of years that everyone's talking about the power of kindness and laughter. On Saturday, July 16th, 2022, at 2 pm, the public is in for a treat with uplifting readings and book signings at the Stamford Town Centre Barnes & Noble Cafe (100 Greyrock Place, Stamford). Contributing authors Barbara Espinosa Occhino of Stamford, Connecticut, and Kelly Bakshi of Rye, New York, will present their heart-warming and amusing stories as featured in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, "Kindness Matters" and "Too Funny." 

Besides being a contributing author for Chicken Soup for the Soul, Barbara Occhino's writing credits include public relations and marketing campaigns, commercials, TV pilot treatments, training films, and other broadcast works. Her copywriting efforts have earned her first-place awards in national marketing competitions. She has published numerous works for government agencies, businesses, organizations, and Fortune 500 companies and co-authored a national "Master Marketing Tips" column.

Kelly Bakshi is a freelance writer, nonfiction children's book author, and frequent contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul (Too Funny, Christmas in the Air, My Kind of America, Angels, and Miracles). Her books include the middle grade "Roots of Racism" and 4th-grade level “Perspective on the Women's Rights Movement.”

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Kindness Matters (March 22, 2022, 978-1-611590883) is filled with 101 feel-good stories that restore our faith in people. The book delivers plenty of good news and good behavior, with tales of good deeds, acts of compassion, and heroic people. "Scientific studies have shown that 'doing good is not only beneficial for the recipient of the good deed, but also for the person doing it, making that person happier and healthier," explains Chicken Soup for the Soul's editor-in-chief Amy Newmark. Performing random acts of kindness is a proven way to make yourself feel good. The ability to be a provider and a recipient of kindness make us part of a united community of people who care about one another. No matter what divides us, our basic humanity reunites us.

Chicken Soup for the Soul's third humor collection, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Too Funny! (April 19, 2022, 978-1-611590890) contains 101 laugh-out-loud stories, all true, and told by the people who lived through these embarrassing, hilarious, and truly relatable experiences. The storytellers document the mishaps and misadventures of everyday life. No one is safe in this collection—from spouses and siblings to parents and children to friends and colleagues. Among the funniest stories are the ones people tell about themselves. No one is holding anything back, with tales of snafus at home, embarrassing moments, goofy pets, holiday hiccups, eccentric families, and every other kind of story that makes you stop, think, and then burst out laughing.

Chicken Soup for the Soul publishes the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. With well over 100 million books sold in the U.S. and Canada, more than 300 titles, and translations into more than 40 languages, the phrase "chicken soup for the soul" is known worldwide and is regularly referenced in pop culture. Today, 29 years after it first began sharing happiness, inspiration, and hope through its books, this socially conscious company continues to publish a new title a month. It has also evolved beyond the bookstore, with a podcast, education programs, dog and cat food, licensed products, and video, television, and movies through its subsidiary, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.