But for Border Mail editor Xavier Mardling, The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F--- by Mark Manson made such an impression that he couldn't look past it for the best book he's read in 2019.

Manson is the writer of a self-development blog that attracts 10 million visitors a year while his book has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in Australia.

Mardling said he'd seen "enough people with the bright orange book to be convinced it wasn't a dud" and he wasn't disappointed.

"I wish I'd read it sooner," he said.

"I've never been someone who reads self-help books, I have always been an autobiography kind of guy, where you can learn the real story behind someone you find interesting.

"But this book really hit home with me. In our role, in the media, there is so much 'white noise' flying around and it's non-stop, 24/7.

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"Whether it's commentary on Facebook or Twitter, pushback from an overly sensitive politician or abuse from someone who's appeared in a court story on our website or newspaper, sometimes it can feel like everyone's coming for you at once.

"What this book really helped put into focus for me was that we have to prioritise the things we worry about in life - or in Manson's terms, give an eff about - or we'll go mad.

"If you can look past the bad language, there's a really great message there, I think, for everyone."

In writing the book, Manson says he came to the conclusion that strong relationships with close friends and family and committing to people, places and career are what matter.

"Most of us struggle throughout our lives by giving too many effs in situations where effs do not deserve to be given," he said.

"I hope I help people question themselves better.

"It's very easy and sexy to name some big, external goal that sounds exciting, but ultimately everybody's path is very different and they need to define it for themselves."