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The Duke and I
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The Duke And I, by Julia Quinn (Bridgertons #1) Start Date: January 14, 2013
Fine with me :)
In my copy that breaks down like this: Monday 1-100
Tuesday 101-192
Wednesday 193-274
Thursday 275-347
Friday 348-371
This week is a little busy for me, I have a big Girl Scout Event this weekend I am hosting. I am not sure I can get in almost a hundred pages each day. But don't let me hold everyone else up if you all can read it that fast.
What about 75, Dawn?
Lisa Kay wrote: "What about 75, Dawn?"More realistic, sorry it just happens to be one of those weeks. I put off too much to the last minute. Story of my life.
No, that's fantastic for me too, Dawn. Thank you. So, 75 pages a day??
For those on ebooks, that comes to about 19% each day. Rounding up to 20% our reading schedule looks like this1 - 20%
2 - 40%
3 - 60%
4 - 80%
5 - 100%
Okay. I haven't started to read yet. (Took a nap. **hee hee**) However, I'll volunteer to do the first set of DQs, if you want to wait for them. This should motivate me, right? I haven't read this book in soooooo long, I've forgotten all of it!
20% is fine with me. As is Lisa Kay doing the first set of questions. :) I was going to start reading tonight but I think I'm going to hit the hay. It's rained all day and the dreariness has made me sleepy. It's currently 35 outside and only 8 in the evening. Also , I'm hoping that school will be delayed if not canceled cause of the rain turning to ice. But I want them to call tonight to tell me so I can sleep in in the morning lol
**snortsnort** I don't think that is going to happen, Susan.
Sadly, I don't either lol
At least you're a realist. Sweet Dreams!
I miss the days of getting school cancelled. I used to live in Missouri, they canceld it for ice, just a bit off snow or even if it was just too cold to wait out at the bus stop. Then we moved to Colorado and school almost never gets closed. I think only a few times and that is if there was at least a foot of snow. It was 15 below freezing this morning when we went to school. Uhg I miss summer.
15 below? I would die! I'm from coastal Louisiana where we've been known to wear shorts for Christmas and have the air conditioner on. We now live in north Alabama. The one major change here is that we actually have seasons (we didn't in Louisiana LOL) and it does get cold. But like Missouri, we're not use to the cold so we get out for any little ice or snow.Sadly, no phone call this morning. And, it's still raining. I really need to go to WalMart but I hate getting out in the rain.
Oh! I meant to say thank you for the sweet dream wishes and good morning :)
I decided this morning that I would like to never again hear the phrase, " It's currently 1 degree outside". I thought the 15 below was bad yesterday today is 30 below freezing. Grrrrr. Stay safe driving in the rain!
I only made 60 pages yesterday but I am really liking the set up so far. This is my first read from this author. I particularly like the gossip bits at the header of each chapter.
I like the gossip tidbits at the beginning of each chapter too. I wasLaughing at the one at the beginning of ch 4 talking about the mommas looking for husbands and not to get in the way of Lady Bridgerton when she needs to marry off daughters E, F, and H especially if she decides to wear steel toed boots :)
Dawn (Kat N Hat) wrote: "I only made 60 pages yesterday but I am really liking the set up so far. This is my first read from this author. I particularly like the gossip bits at the header of each chapter."
I envy your first introduction to Julia Quinn, Dawn. Her books are fantastic. I wish I could start over from the beginning not knowing anything about the Bridgertons *sigh*.
Lisa Kay’s Discussion Questions for Chapters 1 - 4
1. Have you read the Bridgertons before? Have your read any of Julia Quinn’s books before? Do you like this author’s “voice”? The pace?
2. What did you think of the Duke and his happiness at his heir’s birth? Later, at his intolerance at any sign of imperfection? At Simon’s childhood reactions? {For more information on stuttering, see Mayo Clinic and Stuttering Help Organization.}
3. Are you enjoying Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheets at the beginning of each chapter? Do you have any suspicions as to who she – if it is a she! – may be? {If you already know, “mums” the word!} Wasn’t the way she hooked everyone – by giving issues for the first two weeks away free – ingenious?!
4. Do you like Lady Violet Bridgerton? What about her relationship with her daughter, Daphne? How about the Bridgerton brothers toward one another? Whose stories are you most interested in reading?
5. What do you think of the men of the ton – in general – regarding Daphne as a good friend? Do you like that she is perfectly normal, and not a “diamond of the first water”? (Though she seems rather beautiful to Simon, but isn’t that the case in Real Life? Someone I see as average, my BFF thinks is handsome, and vice versa.)
6. Impressions of Daphne and Simon’s first meeting? What was your favorite part? The funniest?
The alphabet according the Bridgertons, by *bechedor79:
Daphne’s sage ballgown; simple & elegant.
Susan's answers to Lisa Kay's questions for ch 1 - 41. I haven't read the Bridgertons before, but I am a return reader of Julia Quinn. I do like her voice and the pacing is fine.
2. I loved that the Duke was so happy and excited. Put a smile on my face. Then. Then he turned in to an ass of the first water (lol see what I did there?) seriously, how awful to be that way to anyone, much less your child. I did like that Simon took it upon himself to make sure he went to school at Eton and prove his father a jerk.
3. I do like the gossip! I haven't a clue who it is though. That was very ingenious to hook everyone into buying the gossip :)
4. I do like Violet. Her relationship with Daphne is good. Kind of reminds me of how my daughter Jenna and I get along. However, I'm not trying to marry her off lolI like the brothers. I want Colin's story.
5. If the habit is to not marry for love, then why wouldn't one of those gentlemen who consider Daphne a friend off to marry her. At least they'd be with someone they like. The men in this book don't seem as bad as some in some other books I've read.
6. Loved it! I like how they were both thinking the other was good looking. My favorite part was when Simon ended up hitting the guy. Funniest - when she went back and rearranged his limbs before leaving him in the hall.
I'll do the next art of questions :)
That should be SET not art. Stupid autocorrect
1. I've not read anything by Julia Quinn before but already I can tell I will be reading more. I do like the voice and pace and the way lots of background info is given upfront. 2. The poor Duke I think was a monster of societies making. His world made or broken only by the precense of an heir. Simon's reactions seemed acurate. My daughter stuttered early on, not as bad. But I did learn just to be quite and let her take her time to get it out and she did better. Even the encouragement and coddling like the nurse did would make my daughter frustrated. She had to work it out on her own. She doesn't stumble over letters any more but often repeats the beginings of sentences (2 or 3 words). She is only 10 now, I think she just needs to grow into some self confidance, like Simon did.
3. I am loving Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheets. I had a couple suspicions about the identity. A group of maids, but that would be unlikely as the money made wouldn't compensate for a job lost if they were cought. It would be a interesting plot twist if it were one of the younger Bridgertons who was eavesdropping on conversations. But in Chapter 4 Anthony makes a comment about Lady Danbury, I don't know enough about the author to know if this is forshadowing or a random comment designed to throw the reader off course. Lady Danbury seems to have the attitude and the means but so does Anthony...
4. I do like that even though she seems as crazy-mariage-minded-mama as the rest of the ton Lady Violets kids do still love and respect her, where as Penelope is going to loose it someday. I am wondering where Mr. Bridgerton is. Colin's story is going to be fun!
5. I do like that she is normal, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone is attracted to the same things. There are a few guys in modern culture that make Peoples Sexiest Man Alive issue that I can only imagine with purple troll hair. Daphne may not be the top of the ton but as long as Simon sees her that way.
6. The meeting was great, it really showed Simon up front she wasn't like the other girls. I had kind of hoped for that inapropriate kiss before they realized who they were. Laffy made me laffy,
Omg! I know it's supposed to be a buddy read, but I just couldn't stop lol I'm at 81% and it's soooooo good. I'll come back and post the next set of questions in a bit...after I finish reading ;)
Oh Susan you are not alone. I know I was the one who said I couldn't read that much this week, but I ended up staying up way too late last night. I couldn't put it down. I got to page 290 before I made myself go to sleep.
Dawn (Kat N Hat) wrote: "Oh Susan you are not alone. I know I was the one who said I couldn't read that much this week, but I ended up staying up way too late last night. I couldn't put it down. I got to page 290 before I ..."thank God! LOL I fell asleep holding my Kindle last night. One of my daughters put it on the nightstand when she went to bed. And I read the whole while they were getting dressed this morning and I never wished for them to ride the bus than I did this morning when I had to put it down to bring them to school ROFLOL
Susan's Questions for Chapters 5-87. Simon and Daphne went from commiserating over how horrible it is to be paraded in front of eligible marriage partners to forming a pretnd attachement. Are you glad that isn't how we find our spouses now?
8. Do you think it was wise to tell Anthony what is going on? Were you surprised that Anthony made rules for them?
9. What was your reaction to the Bridgerton family dinner?
10. I love how you could see Daphne and Simon falling in love during their talk on the boat excursion to the Observatory. Did you feel it or was it just me?
11. Did you fall in love with Simon when he was talking with Hyacinth and he started looking for puddles? I did :) I think he'll make a wonderful father if he'd ever get past his anger for his own.
12. Do you thin Anthony is behaving like he should concerning Daphne and Simon? He knows it's supposed to be a charade, so why is he so mad?
7. I think only the rules of society have changed, not necessarily the game. Mothers don't escort thier daughters out, but many do still push thier girls to settle down and marry. A girl isn't entirely ruined if she talks to a guy alone. But many a single girl do dress themselves up and go parade themselves around at bars and dace clubs. So the practice is still there, just not the mandatory only way to do it. 8. I think if they wanted it to work they had to tell Anthony. He would have never given his consent for them to court and that would have made a bigger scandal. I am not surprised he made rules for them, he does after all know Simon well.
9. I loved the dinner. My favorite part was when Violet called them out for throwing peas.
10. Every conversation they had just led them a step more into love.
11. Simon was great with Hyacinth. I love tht she asked him to wait for her.
12. I think Anthony is seeing it from a distance and he can see that they really do care for each other, where as Simon and Daphne won't admit it yet. He knows Simons reputation and is just trying to protect his sister. I think he has a right to be mad, but like most guys just isn't handeling it or expressing it in the right way.
Dawn, re #7, I guess I never thought of it that way...the dressing up and going to bars and clubs to find a man.
This book happened to be at my library so I started reading it last night :-)
Glad to have you join us Marissa!
Gisela's Answers for Questions 1-6:1. Have you read the Bridgertons before? Have your read any of Julia Quinn’s books before? Do you like this author’s “voice”? The pace? I've read the series and enjoyed it, read the Bevelstoke's which she wrote after and hated the first one
, but I thought that the 3rd one was the best of those books.2. What did you think of the Duke and his happiness at his heir’s birth? Later, at his intolerance at any sign of imperfection? At Simon’s childhood reactions? I can understand is happiness at having a son but he was an A-Hole towards Simon.
3. Are you enjoying Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheets at the beginning of each chapter? Do you have any suspicions as to who she – if it is a she! – may be? {If you already know, “mums” the word!} Wasn’t the way she hooked everyone – by giving issues for the first two weeks away free – ingenious?! I love Lady Whistledown!
4. Do you like Lady Violet Bridgerton? What about her relationship with her daughter, Daphne? How about the Bridgerton brothers toward one another? Whose stories are you most interested in reading? I like Violet and she cleary loves her daughter. Many people reading might think that she's just trying to marry her off and treats her like a commodity, but the truth is that during the regency the only way a lady had to ensure her future was through marriage, they didn't have the same opportunities that men did. So in her way Violet is doing what she thinks is best for Daphne. My favorite stories are Daphne's and Colin's.
5. What do you think of the men of the ton – in general – regarding Daphne as a good friend? Do you like that she is perfectly normal, and not a “diamond of the first water”? (Though she seems rather beautiful to Simon, but isn’t that the case in Real Life? Someone I see as average, my BFF thinks is handsome, and vice versa.) I like that she is normal. Too bad the men couldn't appreciate her.
6. Impressions of Daphne and Simon’s first meeting? What was your favorite part? The funniest? I loved how they met and that he was having improper thoughts about her before he knew she was a Bridgerton.
Answers for Q' 7-127. Simon and Daphne went from commiserating over how horrible it is to be paraded in front of eligible marriage partners to forming a pretend attachement. Are you glad that isn't how we find our spouses now? I don't think we do it differently, we just parade ourselves, and get to sample the goods before we buy! ;)
8. Do you think it was wise to tell Anthony what is going on? Were you surprised that Anthony made rules for them?They thought it was best to come clean with him, for Simon it was a way to keep the commandmentThou shalt not lust after thy friend's sister. I was not surprised at Anthony's rules, if they had been courting in truth they would've had to follow the same rules.
9. What was your reaction to the Bridgerton family dinner? LOL
10. I love how you could see Daphne and Simon falling in love during their talk on the boat excursion to the Observatory. Did you feel it or was it just me? I felt it.
11. Did you fall in love with Simon when he was talking with Hyacinth and he started looking for puddles? I did :) I think he'll make a wonderful father if he'd ever get past his anger for his own.I loved that scene!
12. Do you thin Anthony is behaving like he should concerning Daphne and Simon? He knows it's supposed to be a charade, so why is he so mad? He's very overprotective towards his sister.
Gisela, he is very over protective. Do we ever find out why? Or is it just his nature?
Susan (susayq) wrote: "Gisela, he is very over protective. Do we ever find out why? Or is it just his nature?"I can't remeber if we find out or not. But his book is next in the series so we shall see.
Questions for Chapters 1 - 4 1. Have you read the Bridgertons before? Have your read any of Julia Quinn’s books before? Do you like this author’s “voice”? The pace?
This is my first Julia Quinn book. Less than 100 pages in and I already love it. Will definitely read more by her.
2. What did you think of the Duke and his happiness at his heir’s birth? Later, at his intolerance at any sign of imperfection? At Simon’s childhood reactions?
The Duke was a dick. "OMG A Son! Oh, my wife died? That's too bad. I HAVE A SON!" "What do you mean he can't talk? I'll beat it out of him!" "A stutter?! He must be an idiot. I won't have an idiot as a son!" What a douche.
3. Are you enjoying Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheets at the beginning of each chapter? Do you have any suspicions as to who she – if it is a she! – may be? {If you already know, “mums” the word!} Wasn’t the way she hooked everyone – by giving issues for the first two weeks away free – ingenious?!
I love this lady and her gossip. No idea who she is. Hope we find out by the end of the book.
4. Do you like Lady Violet Bridgerton? What about her relationship with her daughter, Daphne? How about the Bridgerton brothers toward one another? Whose stories are you most interested in reading?
I do like Violet, actually. The whole family seems to really enjoy each other's company. I haven't decided whose story I'm excited to read yet.
5. What do you think of the men of the ton – in general – regarding Daphne as a good friend? Do you like that she is perfectly normal, and not a “diamond of the first water”? (Though she seems rather beautiful to Simon, but isn’t that the case in Real Life? Someone I see as average, my BFF thinks is handsome, and vice versa.)
I like that Daphne isn't the most beautiful woman around. The men have to be idiots to not see that Daphne could be a good match. To a few of them at least. She shouldn't have to be stuck with the village idiot or a man old enough to be her grandfather. Ew.
6. Impressions of Daphne and Simon’s first meeting? What was your favorite part? The funniest?
I have a fondness for the 'meet-cute'. This one was quite funny. Much better than the usual hate-at-first-sight meetings we get a lot in romance novels. Loved that she socked Nigel.
Alley, I also loved that she hit Nigel :)
Questions for Chapters 5-87. Simon and Daphne went from commiserating over how horrible it is to be paraded in front of eligible marriage partners to forming a pretend attachement. Are you glad that isn't how we find our spouses now?
We do still parade ourselves, just not as formally. If we still found our spouses that way, I'd totally be a spinster.
8. Do you think it was wise to tell Anthony what is going on? Were you surprised that Anthony made rules for them?
Yep. If they hadn't, Anthony would be an even bigger problem than he is now.
9. What was your reaction to the Bridgerton family dinner?
Super cute and fun.
10. I love how you could see Daphne and Simon falling in love during their talk on the boat excursion to the Observatory. Did you feel it or was it just me?
I felt it. They both did as well, I think. Simon is just going to be stubborn about it.
11. Did you fall in love with Simon when he was talking with Hyacinth and he started looking for puddles? I did :) I think he'll make a wonderful father if he'd ever get past his anger for his own.
That was a very cute scene. Hyacinth is going to be something when she grows up.
12. Do you think Anthony is behaving like he should concerning Daphne and Simon? He knows it's supposed to be a charade, so why is he so mad?
I think he thinks he's behaving properly. He's just not going about it the way he should. I believe he can see Daphne likes Simon and doesn't want her to get hurt more than she already will be.
Alley,12- I totally agree with you!
QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTERS 1-81. I have not read the Bridgertons before but I have read The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever and I loved it. I like the pace and the style of this book.
2. I think the Duke was an ass. He didn't even give his son a chance. It was heartbreaking to know how much it hurt Simon to disappoint his father. He was so strong and stubborn to keep trying.
3. I absolutely love the gossip column at the beginning of the chapters. I hope we find out who "she" is.
4. Lady Violet is wonderful. I just love the dynamics of a big family. I want to read about Colin.
5. I like that Daphne is liked by all, it's just a shame the gentlemen don't see how valuable her kind nature is.
6. It was great when she punched Nigel and they couldn't decide what to do with him. I liked how easy it was for them to talk to each other.
7. I'm glad we don't have to pretend to be in a relationship just to get noticed or to hide. It just seems so stressful and embarrassing for them.
8. He had to know. Better they tell him then than he find out later. Not surprised he gave them rules, he is really protective of his family.
9. Loved it!!!
10. I felt it too.
11. That was a great way to show what a wonderful father he would be.
12. I think he is just really protective of his family. I love him for that.
Sorry, my computer was in the shop. Still not 100% fixed, but I think I know what the problem is now. Something is "stalking" me and I have to keep clearing my browsing history in order for my computer to not be a slug. I will call them (the people who fixed my computer) tomorrow and asked them what to do. I'm sure I can reset the settings. Anywayz...
I'm back! Sorry, gobbled this book down in two days. I was being good...but then I didn't have GRs to jump on. LOL!
I respond to your comments tomorrow.
It is great to be back!
Glad to have you back Lisa Kay!
It is really, really wonderful to be back, Cheryl. I peeked in on my Kindle Fire while my computer was in the shop, but it is NOT the same thing. LOL!But, I got a lot of reading done.
Have y'all gotten to Violet talking to Daphne about what to expect on her wedding night? hilarious!!!
Not to mention the wedding night!
I loved it. Someone stated in their review that they thought this was ridiculous (from a woman who had 8 children). Alas, things were very different back then.
I think it was funny and wasn't ridiculous at all. My mom turns 100 shades of red when talking about sex: D I've never had a or the sex talk with my mom.
How sad is it that in todays society I've already had to have more indepth conversations with my 10 year old than Daphne got on her wedding night. Not by much mind you but I think mine might have a better idea than Daphne. I had to put this on my back burner so I could focus on Girl Scout Cookies and the Dance Party. Now that those are done I should be able to finish this up by tomorrow.
Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired
Books mentioned in this topic
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (other topics)The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (other topics)
The Duke and I (other topics)
The Duke and I (other topics)
Sounds good to me. How about everyone else?