How do we insulate the bookshelves from our fire place?

We have a small free standing slow combustion stove that takes up one wall of our lounge room. Although I love the fire in the winter, I feel its a complete waste of space around it and would like to build floor to ceiling bookshelves either side of it. But my other half is sceptical because of the heat factor, not only to the shelving materials but also the books themselves. Especially near the top of the chimney. There would be around half a metre space either side of the chimney and the shelving. Would it really get that hot? Is there a way to insulate the shelves against the heat? Or is the risk of damage too high?