An extremely easy to understand version of the Bible translated and written to convey its meaning and lessons to late 20th century people.
Whether the Bible is truly a historical book (its really a set of books), and whether one is a believer in divine origin or inspiration of the Bible isn't necessary to gain insight into lessons about life and humankind's place on earth and their relationships with each other.
Critics of Christians should also understand that the New Testament's theme is God's "new" relationship with people, including Gentiles; and the Old Testament deals with God's relationship with Jews alone. The previously exclusive "chosen people". Those who focus on contradictions between the Old and New Testaments and the negative aspects of the stories, especially in the Old Testament, are missing the point of the Bible. It is to learn about life and one's place in it in relation to God. For the Christian, the New Testament "supersedes" the agreement with God in the Old Testament. So don't hold the Old Testament values against them. Read it anyway and learn what you can from it. Decide for yourself.
As someone said, "If it can be applied to you, learn from it. If not...don't worry about it!"