Hi and thanks Andy! well if I had received a perfect render on the first go I would have been in two minds....would have been extremly happy to see a photo realistic, nuanced rendition that looks like the object was real.....and on the other hand would have doubted my abilities to even judge how difficult something would be to render. And I think I was correct in my estimation of the challenges this object presents
The solid surface is showing a multitude of colour temperatures, daylight to very warm, very unusual for a single light source.(edited) In reality the light may act like that if the solid surface adds a warm attribute (undesirable) to cool light, the cool light may over power the warm solid surface where it is closest to the light source. Hence the different color temperatures
The light seems to be so warm on the ply it looks burnt.
I just put the ply with little regard to its orientation as I made the material myself and thought someone else would have a better ply end material, that would be better for rendering.
Further thoughts: (Art Direction) if the object were to be in an art gallery or in the foyer of a Library there would be, I expect some ambient light, so the light from the Book light would 'hint' at supplying the light to the lamp.
I also think there is potential for the "book light" to reflect interestingly on the spherical glass, experienced (by the viewer) from certain angles when nearing the object to read the text. That is one of the subtle elements of this piece.
If the object were to be visually thoroughly communicated it may take three shots to do it well.(see attached)
The environment in which the object is situated is up to the renderer.
Of course if the piece gets any "airplay" the image will be credited to the producer in all cases.
I thought this would be a challenge 
