Modernism in China: Architectural Visions and Revolutions
by Edward Denison and Guang Yu Ren



I hate the Chinese, but I'm oddly attracted to their modernism. It's so modern. With its modern moderns and their modernist modern things. Incidentally, was James Joyce Chinese, because all his books are incomprehensible to me?

The Revolution Continues: New Art From China
by The Saatchi Gallery



Books about China sure are popular in these pre-Olympic, post-Chinese ascendancy days. Here's one about Chinese art that has a funny cover. That man, he so red. He so red, he hurt my head. Go China. Go China.

The Monuments of Afghanistan: History, Archaeology and Architecture
by Warwick Ball



Says a review: "Afghanistan is not just an Asian state that has suddenly hit the news". Maybe not, but that's the reason books about it are being published. Bunch of bloodsuckers. Doesn't mean the books are all bad, though. Just most of them.

Subversion and Subsidy: Contemporary Art and Aesthetics
by Rainer Rochlitz



This German(?) dude argues that we need to start evaluating art again, instead of simply accepting all of it. In other words, good art is good art for reasons that can be explained and understood. Just because you like it, doesn't make it good. Unless I like; then you know it's good.

Klaus Mettig: Don't Be Left Behind
by Ingrid Holzl 



A book with essays and photos. I don't know what the essays are about, but the photos were taken by German photographer Klaus Mettig and the subjects are a handful of Asian cities. I don't know if they're any good, but there's something about the description and the cover that pique my interest: it's so Oriental and exotic. Edward Said must be so proud of me.