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 25 of 37


Editorial: Two Years of the Piker Press by Alexandra Queen

The Piker Press from conception to two years of age. An editor's retrospective.(Originally appeared 04-10-2004)

Fifth Anniversary Issue by Sand Pilarski

Welcome to the Piker Press, now celebrating our FIFTH anniversary as a weekly ezine dedicated to keeping writers WRITING. Five years go by very quickly, and it was with a good bit of surprise that I realized how far we've come on this merry adventure.

Review in Haiku: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews the "charming" book, "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith.

Racialism in South Africa: A Non-Racial Braai by KK Brown

KK Brown reminds readers that there are different ways of looking at how people of varied races interact with each other -- especially when hatred and fear are not on the agenda.

Review in Haiku: The Geographer's Library by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "The Geographer's Library," a book about mystery and antiquities.

DVD Review -- Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children by Mel Trent

Mel Trent Reviews "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children", finding it visually extraordinary, even for those who have not played the video game.

Review in Haiku: What Would Jackie Do? by Katrina Stonoff

Dust off your Chanel suit and find the other white glove -- Katrina Stonoff is reviewing the book, "What Would Jackie Do?" which claims to be "an inspired guide to distinctive living."

Anime Review -- Howl's Moving Castle by Mel Trent

Mel Trent reviews anime "Howl's Moving Castle" from director Hayao Miyazaki. "Pretty animation and great characters ... " says Trent, " you could do a lot worse than this one."

Review in Haiku: A Long Way Down by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews Nick Hornby's book, "A Long Way Down," and finds it a masterful example of the use of characters "voice" in a funny and fascinating tale of four suicides.

Review in Haiku: Water for Elephants by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, a book that reveals the life of a circus more than the illusion, and which Stonoff calls "compelling, suspenseful, filled with characters I loved and hated."

Anime Review -- Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa by Mel Trent

Mel Trent reviews "Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa" and gives this anime feature a thumbs up.

Review in Haiku: Never Let Me Go by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro, and frankly, her review is driving the editor crazy enough to buy the book on the spot!

Mega Tokyo vol. 4 by Mel Trent

A popular online comic, MegaTokyo's silly gags and flawed but fascinating characters hold up even in print.

Review: "The Creative License" by Danny Gregory by Cheryl Haimann

The desire to be creative is part of human nature, but often that desire withers from lack of respect. With this book, the author hopes to bring everyone's creative dreams back to life.

Mes de los Muertos week 5 by
Review in Haiku: The Violent Friendship of Esther Johnson by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews "The Violent Friendship of Esther Johnson."

Review in Haiku: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Katrina Stonoff

"Snow Flower" is a rich, detailed texture of sisterhood. Although despised in childhood as extra mouths and valued in womanhood only as the mothers of sons, women created a subculture for themselves, a culture that honored sisterhood, women?s arts, and their personal relationships. Stonoff calls "Snow Flower" a "veritable time machine."

Review in Haiku: The Night Journal by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews <i>The Night Journal</i> by Elizabeth Crook, and has some observations that all authors would do well to hear.

Review in Haiku: Between, Georgia by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff reviews the book <i>Between, Georgia</i> by Joshilyn Jackson, and finds it as tasty as an almond croissant.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Women's Equality Day by Alexandra Queen

"Ph Balanced for a Woman" Ain't Near Enough

Review in Haiku: A Family Forever by Katrina Stonoff

Katrina Stonoff tackles <i>A Family Forever</i>, inspirational romance by Brenda Coulter, wondering if she will be able to look herself in the mirror the next day. Will she be embarrassed?

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Anime Review: Samurai Deeper Kyo by Mel Trent

If you must choose between this and a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, you will need the following information to make an informed choice.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest ... Heart and Soul! by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Hooray for a heat wave that sends Sand and Bernie off to the movies just in time for The Summer Blockbuster -- <i>Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest</i>!

Superman Returns: Never Thought We'd See the Day by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Another hot weekend sends Bernie and Sand to the movies, this time both of them sure they're going to trash <i>Superman Returns</i> in the ensuing review. Were they wrong?

Oort Cloud Oddities: Spring Horoscopes 1 by Alexandra Queen
Oort Cloud Oddities: Name Branding by Alexandra Queen
A Modest Proposal by Tedi Trindle

Sometimes the most obvious ideas aren't very obvious at all. But a look at history can help us stop repeating the mistakes of the past. Tedi takes a simple approach to the modern issues that ail us all.

Review in Haiku: A Strong West Wind by Katrina Stonoff

I read <i>A Strong West Wind</i>, by Gail Caldwell (chief book critic for the <i>Boston Globe),</i> because I was interested in her agent, and it came highly recommended. Caldwell is a Pulitzer Prize winner, and the jacket calls it an "exquisitely rendered memoir."

Oort Cloud Oddities: Florida Pizza by Alexandra Queen

The hurricane season won't start until June, but Florida's residents face a new devastating threat. Iguanas and giant snakes. Fortunately, the answer can be delivered in 30 minutes or less.