Dreamseller

An Addiction Memoir

By: Brandon Novak

Narrated by: Brandon Novak

Skateboarder and Jackass star Brandon Novak comes clean about his crazy rise to fame, tailspin into addiction, and other death-defying stunts on the road to recovery …

At seven, Brandon was a skateboard prodigy. By the time he was fourteen, he was living the dream. Discovered by skate legends Bucky Lasek and Tony Hawk. Touring the US with the elite Powell-Peralta team. Signing autographs and appearing in films and magazines. Brandon had it all. Then he got hooked on heroin.

Soon the up-and-coming star was living a down-and-out life in a garage, begging for change, and hustling to score his next fix. He stole from his family and friends. He pushed the fantasy that everything was okay, that he was going to rehab, getting help, and getting better. But it was all a lie.

This is the story of an addict—a dreamseller who stopped believing the lies he was selling and started believing in himself. With the help of his celebrity buddy Bam Margera of Jackass fame, Brandon joined the cast of MTV’s Viva La Bam and made an honest reach for sobriety. The road was hard, and he had some falls. But like any great skateboarder, Brandon Novak was always determined to get up again.

©2008 Brandon Novak and Joseph Frantz. Update © 2017 by Brandon Novak and Joseph Frantz (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

YES

This is sooo well done. Amazing story telling and Brandon is so inspiring, I have just listened to both books on here and it is just so insightful and raw about the ups AND downs of recovery, no sugar coating

The realization

If you have someone that is affected by drugs, alcohol anything read this book? You will always see some of them in this book.

Awesome book! Recommend for parents of kids with addiction

Wonderful explanation of the difficulties experienced trying to get off of drugs and how low one goes to obtain them. Also explains thought processes and changes while on drugs! Our society needs better resources and those in power positions need to change their thoughts on addiction to help fight this disease!

honesty 

I did not dislike anything. This man is amazing. I’m 64 year-old white woman going through a lot of shit took a drive in a bad neighborhood today hoping to score never did that in my life. Thank you for the strength Brandon. 

true story

Chris, I'm an alcoholic. I love hearing stories like this. they don't glorify drug/alcohol use, but they don't glorify sobriety either. it's just a story of a man's struggle.

Painfully honest and raw!

This was the most relatable biography I’ve read that hit home with my own experience with active addiction. Such an amazing read/listen that shows real life for a suffering addict. I’ve listened to probably 15 addiction and recovery biographies recently and this stands out because absolutely nothing is sugarcoated. So real.

Inspiring

I’ve read both books Dreamseller and Streets of Baltimore. I loved the audio version of Streets of Baltimore so I was really excited to listen to Dreamseller. Brandon does a good job reading slowly, and adds voices of different characters in the book which is entertaining. Brandon has such an amazing life story and I’m happy he’s here to share that story with us!

The fact that if you work the steps, go to meetings, and have a relationship with God, you can stay clean!!

Loved the whole book. It gives me inspiration to stay clean. I have a beautiful little girl and a loving wife that need me! They deserve a sober daddy and husband!! But most of all I deserve to be clean and I work hard to stay that way!

Brandon thank you !

I’m giving this review for a few reasons as a mother of a daughter in active addiction often on for over 20 years, also as a drug alcohol counselor in sharing Brandon‘s story in group therapy for years I finally had the opportunity to listen to the audible book. Hearing describe in detail Brandons addiction was crushing this mamas heart . The mind of an addict and hearing it brought to a new light what all addict face trying to achieve sobriety. I am also the daughter of an alcoholic my father had 47 years sober when he passed at 82 years old in 2019 my dad‘s prayer on his deathbed was for the Lord to take him, but to save his granddaughter from the Demons that taken her over., I believe AA BILL W and Dr. Bob were the reason why my father lived to the 12 steps daily and was his turning point in getting involved in alcoholics anonymous my daughter has never completed a 12 step program has been in and out of rehab, dual diagnosed, homeless , she fights the demons every day lost everything And still, I see the person that she is and was meant to be before addiction took over her dream to be a veterinarian and raise her family. The disease of addiction took over I believe around2002, . I truly believe without the 12 step Program and giving it to her higher power this will continue until one of the “3” takes over. I pray every day , I know the signs I see them. I had years of enabling, but I’ve since given it to God and leave it in his hands. I know he has a plan for her I hope she sees the light before it’s too late. Thank you, Brandon Novak thank you from the bottom of my heart for your candid words and sharing your journey. I pray that you stay true to yourself and continue your journey of helping others in the rooms. God bless you my friend , From a Mom , just like yours, truly ,Anna Magura Youngstown, Ohio

Thank you Brandon

I always love when books are narrated by the author. This book couldn’t of been easy for the author to read. His blunt honesty reliving his life in its entirety was greatly appreciated. I feel like nowadays you don’t encounter a lot of people being completely honest with themselves or others around them. That was achieved in this book. Thank you Brandon for taking us down the path of your life and reliving all of the good, the bad, and the ugly. A reminder, inspiration, and motivation for people of all walks of life to conquer the destructiveness that is addiction. Stay strong brother