Although the Bible is a special book, it is not unique in its methods of interpretation. Just as with any other book, it must be read as it was intended, with the usual rules of language. The Bible contains a multitude of genres. History, poetry, prophecy, understanding that these genres, and more, are present in the Bible is essential for understanding it.
A correct reading of the scriptures requires one to apply the same basic meaning to a word as would normally be applied to it, unless the surrounding context dictates otherwise. The Psalms, being poetic, contain many symbolic phrases designed to convey a literal truth. When Psalm 19:1, for example, tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God, that doesn't literally mean the heavens are shouting "God is glorious, worship Him!" It means that by looking at the heavens, you get an idea of just how glorious their Creator must be. Historical narrative, by contrast, contains less symbolism. Some descriptive or dramatic language may be used, but typically, what you read is what happened.
All of this is vital, because without it, communication between God and man becomes impossible. It would be fruitless to even have such a book that is so open for interpretation that the words alone are insufficient to determine its meaning.
Unfortunately, in this era, as has occurred since God gave us the scriptures (2 Peter 3:16), many people do treat the Bible as if it isn't a clear book. There are numerous scenarios in which the Bible clearly says one thing, but many want it to say another. Can a good person get into Heaven without believing in Jesus? The Bible says there are no good people, and that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, but many "Christians" say there are good people, and they don't need to believe to go there. Is gay "marriage" ok with God? The Bible condemns all homosexuality as a sin, but many try to explain away the scriptures that promote this view. Did God use Evolution to create? The Bible precludes this idea, but so many people spit on it rather than just accept God's word.
Realistically, no one who is capable of reading has an excuse for mishandling the Bible. As a general rule, if you have to appeal to some made up rule of interpretation that you wouldn't apply to any other book, your interpretation is wrong. It is not ok, for example, to say that if society disagrees with what the Bible literally says, that means it wasn't intended to be read literally.
This principle applies whether you're a Christian trying to make Christianity look good, or an unbeliever trying to make it look bad. If you have to change the text, in any way, to put forward your view, you're not being honest. Though there are difficult areas of the Bible to understand, there is a correct meaning, and that can be discovered through study. Read the Bible like you would read any other book, because it is a book.