Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
March 16, 2026

Opinion

Opinion pieces published in Piker Press, a weekly journal of arts and literature.

1,093 articles — page 23 of 37


The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread: A Review by Cheryl Haimann

Piker Press Poetry Editor Cheryl Haimann reviews "The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread" by Don Robertson.

Red Hot Art Review by Alexandra Queen

Is it a book review? A humor column? An artsy "how to"? No. It's just one of my pre-migraine days when everything is really agitating. And -- fabulous me! -- I'm bringing YOU along for the ride.

The Dark Knight: The Joker's On You by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Bernie and Sand Pilarski eagerly run to the movies to see "The Dark Knight." Now if we could only get Sand out from under her desk again ...

Review in Haiku: We Are All Welcome Here by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews the book, "We Are All Welcome Here" by Elizabeth Berg.

Journey to the Center of the Earth: Comin' At Ya by Pilarskis and Queen

"Ah, what the heck," says Alex,"it's Brendan Fraser." Bernie and Sand lurch off with her to see "Journey to the Center of the Earth." It's a Jules Verne title, after all, and it certainly can't be any worse than Tom Cruise in "War of the Worlds.

Hancock: Pass the Whiskey by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Fans of Will Smith, Sand and Bernie join hands and merrily scamper off to see the movie "Hancock."

Review in Haiku: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews the book, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon.

WALL-E: Put On Your Sunday Clothes and Go See This One by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

California's Ceiling of Smoke in the Summer of 2008 leave Sand and Bernie two choices -- they must entertain themselves by going to the movies, or stay home and clean out filing cabinets. The animated film, "WALL-E," wins.

The Untaught History by Dan Mulhollen

Almost every history student in high school could say that what they were taught was dry and seemed to have no point. Over this summer break, maybe history teachers ought to worry lest about the text book and think about teaching what really happened.

Notes From the Office 09: Mondays by Sand Pilarski

Managing Editor Sand Pilarski weighs in with an explanation about Mondays.

Review in Haiku: The Crimson Petal and the White by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews the book, "The Crimson Petal and the White," by Michel Faber.

The Incredible Hulk: Stalking Tony Stark by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

A remake of "The Hulk"? Sand catches wind of a Tony Stark appearance, so it's off to the theater again to see "The Incredible Hulk."

Review in Haiku: Trans-Sister Radio by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews the book, "Trans-Sister Radio" by Chris Bohjalian.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Woohoo! by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Unseasonably cold and wet weather on Memorial Day weekend drives Sand and Bernie to the movies as easily as record heat waves do -- this time to see "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Prince Caspian: Smite Makes Right by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Sand and Bernie escape the Central Valley's record heat wave and view the movie, "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."

Review in Haiku: Running With Scissors by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "Running With Scissors" by Augusten Burroughs.

Review in Haiku: Falling Boy by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "Falling Boy" by Alison McGhee.

Iron Man: Bad Boy Makes Good by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Not the infernal heat of high summer, but the unseasonable horrid winds of spring convince Bernie and Sand that it's in the best of public interest to go see "Iron Man," and report on the experience.

Review in Haiku: City of Glass by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "City of Glass" by Paul Auster.

Jackfish, The Vanishing Village: A Book Review by Wendy Robards

Wendy Robards reviews "Jackfish, The Vanishing Village," by Sarah Felix Burns.

The Forbidden Kingdom:"Everybody was kung fu fighting ..." by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Shouting "Woo hoo!" all the way, Sand drags Bernie off to the movies to see Jackie Chan in "The Forbidden Kingdom."

Review in Haiku: By Bread Alone by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "By Bread Alone" by Sarah-Kate Lynch.

Notes From the Office 07 by Cheryl Haimann

Tennyson wrote, "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." The Academy of American Poets suggests that in spring, and specifically in April, you turn your fancy to poetry.

Anniversary Number Six! by Sand Pilarski

Founded in April of 2002, the <i>Piker Press</i> got its start with a tiny band of writers who, having giddily written their first full-length novels during National Novel Writing Month in November of 2001, found themselves eager to write more, but with no venue willing to take a chance on unknown, unpublished authors. What this has meant is that the Piker Press has had one goal from the very start: encouraging writers to keep on writing.

Review in Haiku: The Mermaid Chair by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews the novel, "The Mermaid Chair," by Sue Monk Kidd.

Notes From the Office 06: The Eatin' O' the Green by Sand Pilarski

The Piker Press Staff considers, remembers, and instructs about salads.

Review in Haiku: Sarah by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "Sarah" by Marek Halter and has some reservations about the book.

Notes From The Office 05 by Alexandra Queen

Professional and creative? Not once you become a parent. Because Mattel's Barbie is there to eat your brain.

Review in Haiku: Waiting by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "Waiting" by Ha Jin.

Review: Mo's Bacon Bar by Cheryl Haimann

She wants chocolate. You just want a decent breakfast. Now you can both be happy.