German-born author is Oprah's latest book pick

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Influential television talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Wednesday chose a spiritual self-help book, "A New Earth" by German native Eckhart Tolle, as her next book club selection.

Winfrey also introduced a new online discussion feature to her Oprah's Book Club venture, which has sent previous titles rocketing to the top of U.S. best sellers lists.

Published in 2005, "A New Earth" urges readers to act collectively to bring about changes both in their own lives and in a global context, Oprah's Harpo Productions said.

Tolle and Winfrey will also lead readers around the world in weekly, free, live classroom discussions of each of the 10 chapters via a webcast starting on March 3, the company said. The class can be accessed via www.oprah.com/anewearth.

"Being able to share this material with you is a gift and part of the fulfillment of my life's purpose," Winfrey said.

Tolle, a German native who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, is also the author of the best-selling "The Power of Now."

"A New Earth" is published internationally in English by Penguin Group, a unit of Pearson PLC.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant, editing by Bob Tourtellotte)