(BERGENFIELD, NJ) -- Musician turned author Jacqueline Sideman Guttman is back! This time, she has even more to say about laughter and loss, altered states and living alone for the first time at age 70-plus. What is an altered state? Come and find out at Sideman Guttman's presentation, "Finding Humor in the Face of Loss", about her book, Widowhood and Other Altered States, at the Bergenfield Public Library on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 2:00pm.
This wryly irreverent discussion looks at the absurdities and annoyances of living alone for the first time. The book presents a series of coming-of-age essays for people who have already aged and their younger friends. "After having been half of a couple for decades, older widows and widowers are faced with the need to be totally self-reliant and deal with everyday challenges. They have to manage a home, confront health issues, and adjust to life alone—while also finding moments of humor and strength along the way," said Sideman Guttman.
Her talks and readings in the tri-state area have been greeted with much enthusiasm at several venues. Typical responses from her audiences and readers have been comments like "I felt I was right next to you as you shared your experiences..." or "You're so funny – you should do stand-up comedy!" According to poet Donna Pucciani, Sideman Guttman's matter-of-fact, often gently humorous take on a difficult subject is uniquely comforting and is sure to bring a smile and much wisdom to all her fortunate readers.
The Bergenfield Public Library is located at 50 West Clinton Avenue in Bergenfield, New Jersey. The presentation takes place at the library's Friends Meeting Room in the lower level and is free and open to the public.
To register for the event, contact Bergenfield Public Library's Adult Program Coordinator Mini Pavithran at 201-387-4040, extension 2889 or register online at https://bccls.libcal.com/event/16897999
Writing about Grief with Humor
Sideman Guttman is often asked how she can write about the sadness of loss, while at the same time make readers and listeners laugh. While grieving itself is not humorous, laughter lies in the ancillary circumstances surrounding it. For example, when Sideman Guttman's beloved grandmother died, the family's discussions about whether to arrange her burial through a burial society or with the family elicited laughter.
Similarly, aging is about loss, like reaching a point in life where you start the day not by bounding out of bed, but by carefully checking to be sure that you do not have vertigo that day. Sometimes all you can do is laugh. This is serious, but it is also head-shakingly ridiculous.
When you are older and want to age in place despite some physical limitations, you set up systems to make it work, perhaps first as a caregiver and then for yourself. What do you do when the systems break down? Find the humor in the situation, of course!
Book Availability
Widowhood and Other Altered States can be found on Amazon by searching for the title and author. The book will also be available for purchase at a 25% discount at the reading in Bergenfield.
Jacqueline Sideman Guttman is a multifaceted professional whose life journey encompasses music, arts administration, and writing. She has authored multiple educational resources, including ARThematics Plus: Integrated Projects in Math, Art and Beyond, Partners in Excellence: A Guide to Community School of the Arts/Public School Partnerships from Inspiration to Implementation, and numerous curriculum guides for artist-in-residence school programs.
With a career that navigated unexpected turns, she was a former adjunct associate professor of performing arts marketing and performing arts administration and acting program director at New York University. Sideman Guttman's professional background spans musical performance, teaching, and arts education and administration. Her latest book, Widowhood and Other Altered States, emerges from personal experience, transforming life's challenges into a narrative of humor, resilience, and candid self-reflection.
Interested organizations and groups can book Sideman Guttman for speaking engagements about her book, exploring the themes of aging, humor, personal resilience, self-publishing and related topics, by contacting her at [email protected].
