Is the Bible a book that is read or studied?

I have had this doubt for some time now, because I want to read the Bible, not to find salvation or anything like that, but because if I don’t understand a subject, I want to learn about it. I am agnostic, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to learn about religions. On the contrary, since I don’t have a very centered view, it allows me to read and learn about other religions without that fear of “am I doing the right thing? Will I be condemned for this?” Do you understand? That’s where this doubt I have comes from. Can I read the Bible as if it were a book with a story with a beginning, middle and end, or should I use the Bible as a reference for my study? For example, I am studying the chapter of John and I use the Bible as if it were a reference for my study (sorry if I got any names wrong, even though I have religious parents, I have never had this interest in worship or praise).