People will spout about impermanence of digital records, but books are really fragile, too. Alexis Arnold from San Francisco wanted to illustrate that with her project The Crystallized Book: collecting books and growing Borax crystals on them. Books range from literature classics to magazines, and there’s even a mysterious and arcane tome called “Linux: The Complete Manual”.

Artist Terry Border gives new life to old books in his latest series titled Wiry Limbs, Paper Backs. The artist, who is no stranger to breathing new life into inanimate objects, utilizes his handcrafted technique of bending wires to serve as limbs and combines it with a great sense of humor. Each whimsical creation in the ongoing project is a sculptural work that stands on its own, reflecting its respective text.

Protesters shield themselves as police beat them with sticks during a violent demonstration near the India Gate against a gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus last week, in New Delhi, India, December 23, 2012. The attack last Sunday has sparked days of protests across the country. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Associated Press)

Jozsef Tari has been collecting miniature books since 1972, and is now the proud owner of over 4,500 literary works, including the world’s smallest book (2.9 x 3.2 mm).

Michael Kefalianos of Australia prepares backstage prior to the pre judging for the 2012 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix XII at The Plenary on March 17, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Luke Timms of Australia poses during the pre judging of the IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix XI at Plenary Hall on March 12, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia.

Russian oppostion activists take part in a rally and march to Bolotnaya Square on February 4, 2012 in Moscow, Russia. Demonstrators braved temperatures as low as -20 degrees celsius as they took to the streets exactly one month before the presidential elections in protest against Vladimir Putin's efforts to return to the Kremlin for an unprecedented third term as President. (Photo by: Ilya Varlamov; Source: LiveJournal)

Edward Nunn of the USA, Toney Freeman of the USA and Dexter Jackson of the USA pose during the IFBB Australia Pro Grand Prix XII at The Plenary on March 9, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone)