Anne Hathaway is obsessed with reading physics textbooks.

Despite her glamorous celebrity lifestyle, the Oscar-nominated actress has revealed she is a secret geek who loves nothing more than reading science journals and learning about atoms.

She said: "I'm interested in elementary particles.

"What I like thinking about is how time and space exist in the universe and how we understand it. Any spare time I have I bury my head in a physics textbook. What I also think is fascinating is that the elements at the atomic and subatomic level make-up everything. You, me, the buildings, our souls, our minds. Remember I'm living in Los Angeles, so I'm interested in energies and vibes. Look, it's not a very polished argument but I'm learning."

The 27-year-old beauty is also swatting up on revolutionary physicist Albert Einstein and is hoping to befriend a scientist who can help her learn more.

She added to Britain's GQ magazine: "I'm reading a lot about Einstein. I like theories. I want to understand string theory. I'm dying for someone to explain quarks to me!"