The problem with many translations is how many partisan groups put their twist on some phrases that obscure the original intent, which may have been sincere, but it hides God's true love for humanity (always the goal of evil - did God really say?). As much as the KJV is touted as the only true translation, it's not perfect either, and not always easy to read. Even more troubling, is how more recent versions of modern translations have been subtly changed over the years, and if you compare the same translation recently printed against a 40 year old print, they are not the same (looking at you NIV).

In any case, for the first time through, an easy to read standard version is probably your best bet, and feel free to skip over some passages in the OT to avoid getting bogged down. They are important, but can be delved into later. I say this having read through the Bible a few times (not sure how many), the first time in my early 20s.

Also, I happen to like the Kenneth Wuest translation of the New Testament for a better understanding of nuances of the Greek. But that is not for casual reading, and some people don't like it because they feel Wuest is putting theology into the context that they disagree with. But if the Greek uses the continuous active tense in a phrase, then that means it's not a one and done statement, as could be understood by the English translation, but an ongoing never changing truth.