Dreamseller: An Addiction Memoir

I strongly recommend the book “Dreamseller” by Brandon Novak and Joseph Frantz because it gives you an insight on a junkie's life. Within its 252 pages, it puts you through intense experiences, shocking moments and unimaginable situations. One of the most intense moments is when Brandon Novak, or “Novak”, receives sexual favors for money so he can buy heroin. In the book “Dreamseller” about Novak's life, we get to live in the junkies life. “In a flash, I am struck with several past-tense reflections: I was once a skateboarder with a promising career; I had been engaged to the most beautiful girl; I did live in a nice home with a mother who loved. And now, in the present tense: I am selling my body to a middle-aged married man.” (19) Soon after this part the man performs a sexual act on him and gives him $40 so Novak can get his next “fix”. Novak realises what happened is disgusting and wants to go to rehab the next day, but before he goes, he wants to get high one last time.An intense experience in this book happens when he’s at the airport getting ready to pass through the metal detector with an abundant amount of drug money strapped to his body. In Novak’s book, we experience the stressful situations a junkie can go through. “My turn to step through the metal detector. I wait for the guard to wave me through. He looks at me. I feel the urge to swallow, but I cannot let myself. The guard waves for me to walk through. Here I go. I step through the machine. No beep. Thank God! But wait, are they suspicious because I was the only one in line who did not set the damn thing off?” (147) This is very intense because if the detector goes off, he will be searched and they will find all the money. If the money is found, not only could he go to jail or prison, he risks being killed by Dwight or one of his men for losing the money and ratting him out. A very shocking moment in the book is when Novak decides to quit his professional skateboarding career with Powell Peralta to go smuggle drugs for a man named Dwight. In “Dreamseller” we follow a junkie and are with him through every decision he makes. “That night, I went out with Alexia and my drug friends and celebrated the fact that I had quit my lifelong dream. At this point, the drugs were deteriorating my morals, my value system, and all that was positive in my life.” (175) We can infer that he regrets this decision he made and wants it back, but at the time drugs were more important to him. Smuggling drugs for Dwight brought him more money and allowed him to live like a king, which is ideal for a junkie. Brandon Novak and Joseph Frantz’ “Dreamseller” places readers into many situations. I strongly recommend this book for people who are dealing with drug problems, have someone they know that have drug problems or are interested in the life of a drug addict.

Awesome book! Hopefully there is going to be a second book. Frantz is the most underrated talent ever! Novak is so lucky to have the close friends that he does. Sadly I have seen to many people die before realizing that. If I was a religious man I'd pray for Novak. But I'm not so all I can do is set back and watch from a public distance. It's strange following Cky as a band and the crew all these years. Watching, reading and occasionally meeting them us as fans sometimes feel like we are friends already. It's a weird connection and creepy at the same time. Like when I meet one if them I know a lot about them and they have no clue who I im obviously. It's got to be strange on there end. We are fortunate that deep down under all the shenanigans there is some extremely great talent and there able to use that talent and create entertaining things for us to watch listen to and read. I'm a charm wearing old school member of the alliance. Everyday I wear my Cky and Å charm. It's sad though. The "good ole days" are gone. There will never be a young Dunn pissing in dicos face in Iceland again. The greatest of that era has passed and I'm just so happy to of been if just for a fan part of it. Traveling 14 hours to see Cky play a Halloween show with 7 guys in a pickup. Then when we get there rake let's like 15 people go back to his house to sleep and hangout for 2 days, awesome groups of guys. Hopefully we get a second book soon.

Amazing story and an honest look at the life of a junkie. This is the only book I have finished without skipping pages or putting it down. This book is an easy read and only took two evenings in bed to finish. I couldn't put it down it was just gripping and I wanted to know more and more about Brandon's journey. As someone with a severe disease that takes heavy prescription pills every day I live in constant fear of ending up like Brandon and his story is an important piece to keep those of us who need these drugs to survive. Highlights of this story are the story of Brandon and his new friend in the blue Mercedes, Dane and Guy Leeper, the sometimes abusive but well-meaning relationship with Bam Margera, the amazing story of the Margera's and Mrs. Novak, and walking the streets desperate for a fix only to get drywall. I can't wait to read this again to read it from a different aspect. I found myself sitting outside, with a cigar, enjoying the warm Texas late night air with this book in my hand. Brandon, I wish you luck. I know you will slip and fall many times in your life but the important thing is that you beat this disease and you take care of yourself.

Novak's story really grabs you. There are no points in the book that, in my mind, stand out as boring or dull. I didn't stop reading from the moment I opened the book until I was finished.As a frequent listener of Bam's radio show, I know a LOT about Brandon Novak. I found him one of the more interesting characters on the show and this book was one of the few insights into his life. Most of the book is really in his voice. I can almost see where he picked up a thesaurus to find more intelligent sounding words, too. Haha. I got to read many of the random stories I heard on the radio and see where they happened in his life.One thing that really stands out in my head is a scene where he talked to a counselor in rehab. He basically states his resume of movies and shows that he had very minor roles in. Many of which should have come out AFTER he was released from rehab. This lead to a confusion about the order of events in the book and then a greater confusion of what point in his life I was reading about.Overall, this is a book that will keep you interested from start to finish. Brandon has really experienced a life that really seems like a story. I'm looking forward to hearing him back on the radio when he gets out of prison in nine months.

Fastest I’ve ever read a book. Hard to put down. Always want to know what’s going to happen next.

Obwohl ich Novak lange für den merkwürdigsten Character des bam Margera Dunstkreises hielt, bin ich von diesem Buch begeistert. Nichts ist härter als die Realität, und das erste Kapitel stellt das gleicht klar. Er ist auf dem Boden angekommen und in diese Richtung gibt es nur noch den baldigen Tod. Vieles läuft anders als bei anderen Abhängigen, aber man erkennt auch die immer gleichen Muster. Der Ausdruck "Dreamseller" war mir neu. Trifft aber voll ins Schwarze für viele Süchtige. Ich überlege mir das zweite Buch von ihm/Frantz anzuschaffen.

In 2012 I met Novak and Bam at a CKY gig. We travelled from Ireland for it and they got wind and invited us to party with them. We drank beer and ate pizza and had a laugh with the rest of the gang. Leaving that night myself and my husband were saying how great the night was but Novak must be on drugs, really nice guy but he has to be on drugs. Well now I know he was. Super nice guy when we met him. Reading this book it’s clear to see how honest Novak is telling his story, there is nothing held It’s painful to read as you feel right there with him through it. I’m glad he is now living a great sober life and has his family and friends back. Great read. Highly recommend

Simple to read and it truly is a page turner.

Very relatable, super funny . I’d highly recommend it to anyone wanting a Real look into addiction and how fast everything can spiral . Great Inspirational /motivational read if your in recovery