Yes - the shelves would be a sashing strip sent by the owner. It would help to give the quilt a unified look. You can google Bookcase quilts but below are a few I found. MH's suggestion about using fabric to interpret "thing" might be a good way to make a few books.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]443442[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]443443[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]443444[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]443445[/ATTACH]