installing rope lighting behind a bookcase

I'm trying to install some rope lighting behind my bookcase like in this link:

http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/look/look-concealing-speaker-wires-with-wood-077725 (scroll down to the picture of the backlit cabinets)

The problem is this: the clips that came with my rope lighting are the cheap plastic screw-in kind, but I can only place the screws around the edges of the bookcase. If I do this, however, the rope lighting is also right around the edges of the bookcase, and is therefore visible. Instead, I want to bring the rope lighting in a few inches from the edges, but keep the screws on the edges. If I bring the screws in, they will poke through the bookcase's thin back and be visible.

Any suggestions for a way to approach this problem? I've thought of using a staple gun + cable ties, but I think the staples would still be poke through the back. Adhesives could work, but I don't know if they would be strong enough.