Why introverts are gluttons for learning

If you ask any introvert, there's a good chance he or she has an insatiable appetite for knowledge.

In fact, introverts tend to:

1. Have at least one bookshelf at home. Depending on the person's tastes, the genres may be wide-ranging or highly specialized. In my case, I'm passionate about two subjects in particular (history and psychology), but I know many an introvert who swears by fiction only. Indeed, when it comes to reading, introverts are ravenous bibliophiles.

2. Devour documentaries and all other manner of educational content.

Whether it's a documentary on the Civil War or a biographical film on George Washington and the founding of the United States, we're always game for intellectually stimulating content. While some of my friends sing the praises of shows like Game of Thrones, you'll catch me waxing lyrical about the latest Ken Burns documentary series on PBS. (Sidenote: It examined the life of writer Ernest Hemingway.)

3. Feel at home at libraries, bookshops, and museums. Seemingly endless rows of books? Engrossing exhibits? Count us in! Aside from their intellectual value, introverts derive something else from these palaces of knowledge that are highly vital to our happiness and well-being: peace and quiet. A rainy afternoon spent indulging our curious minds with Shakespeare or Einstein is sheer bliss. Such places offer a slower, more refreshing pace -- the perfect refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

It may strike our extroverted friends as odd that we'd prefer curling up with a good book at home to hitting up a crowded restaurant, that we'd rather while the afternoon away at the local science museum than at a jam-packed party.

But remember: Introverts' inner wiring demands that they seek out solitude -- to recharge, clear their minds, and gird themselves for yet another day of heavy social interactions.

Whether others want to call us geeky, nerdy, or weird for our intellectual proclivities, not only will we take it in stride, but we -- recognizing the unique gifts we have to offer the world -- will feel utterly flattered.

While introverts may seem quiet and introspective on the surface, our minds are anything but.

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