Joanne Harris is a British author best known for her novel Chocolat, which was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. Harris has written over 20 books, including novels, short stories, and non-fiction works. Her writing often explores themes of identity, family, and the supernatural. Harris was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, and studied modern and medieval languages at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge. After graduating, she worked as a teacher and a bookseller before becoming a full-time writer. Her first novel, Sleep, Pale Sister, was published in 1995 and was followed by Chocolat in 1999. Chocolat was a huge success, selling over 3 million copies and being translated into over 40 languages. Harris has since written a number of other novels, including Five Quarters of the Orange, The Gospel of Loki, and The Strawberry Thief. She has also written several children's books, including Runemarks and Runelight. In addition to her writing, Harris is a keen cook and has written two cookbooks. She is also an avid traveler and has written several travel books.