Thandie Newton says reading with a lover is "so romantic".

The British actress enjoys losing herself in a good book. She tries to read as much as possible and has discussed the tomes which have changed her life.

Thandie chose The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene revealing a former partner encouraged her to read it.

"I was introduced to Greene by someone I was dating. I find that so romantic you start reading together and it creates a world of ideas around you," she told the January issue of UK magazine Elle.

"I felt this book so deeply when I read it. It's set in wartime West Africa and follows a man's experiences with depression.

"I remember seeing a documentary about Greene and thinking, I don't know if I'm going to like this guy much.' I had to switch it off I didn't want to pollute my experience."

Thandie also enjoys reading non-fiction books. She says Chile, Pinochet and the Caravan of Death by Patricia Verdugo has inspired her to get involved in political issues.

"I read more non-fiction books now, as I feel an urgency to be politically and socially aware," the 39-year-old added. "These books give us vital information, which hopefully makes us want to jump up and do something."