In his book Knowing Scripture Dr. R.C. Sproul suggested reading the books of the Bible in the following order listed. The books listed below gives an overview of the Old Testament and New Testament. It is a skeleton that provides the framework for understanding the Bible. After one is finished with this list, then s/he can read the rest of the other books to fill out the skeleton.

Old Testament framework:

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Joshua
4. Judges
5. 1 Samuel
6. 2 Samuel
7. 1 Kings
8. 2 Kings
9. Ezra
10. Nehemiah
11. Amos
12. Hosea
13. Jeremiah
14. Ecclesiastes
15. Song of Solomon
16. Psalms
17. Proverbs

New Testament framework:

1. Luke
2. Acts
3. Ephesians
4. 1 Corinthians
5. 1 Peter
6. 1 Timothy
7. Hebrews
8. Romans

Read through the entire Old Testament once a year. The following guide below is for reading the New Testament (as suggested in Dr. John MacArthur's sermon on how to study the Bible). This approach helps familiarize us with the content (hence, rely less upon concordance):

1. Read one book at a time repetitiously for a month to help retain what is in the New Testament and so you won't always have to depend on a concordance to find things. If the book is long, break it down into sections.
2. Begin with a short book, such as 1 John (which only has five short chapters), and read it through in one sitting every day for 30 days. At the end of that time, you will know what is in the book. Write on index cards the major theme of each chapter. By referring to the cards as you do your daily reading, you will begin to remember the content of each chapter.
3. Divide longer books into short sections and read each section daily for 30 days. For example, the gospel of John contains 21 chapters. Divide it into 3 sections of 7 chapters each. At the end of 90 days, you will finish John.
4. For variety, alternate short and long books, and in less than 3 years you will have finished the entire New Testament - as you will really know it! In fact, you will develop a visual perception of the book in your mind. As you begin to read more Scripture, it begins to interpret itself and many questions will be answered by reading the text. The Bible becomes its own best source of explanation, one scripture explaining another. Do that for a few years and you will begin to marvel at the grasp that you have on the meaning of Scripture because it becomes so clear just by virtue of the repetition!
5. While reading, write down any questions you may have separately. Or you can further consult commentaries or other Bible study tools for an in-depth study.