My suggestion would be to start a notebook and add to the time line as we work our way through the Bible.  In my "study" notebook, I have genealogies, outlines, time lines, etc.  This aids in my understanding and comprehension of the Bible.  Of course, it is up to you whether to keep a notebook or not!  

Timeline:
1526 b.c.- Moses' birth
1446 b.c.- The plagues and the first Passover
1446 b.c.- The exodus
1446 b.c.- The Ten commandments & Mt. Sinai
1446-1406 b.c.- The desert wanderings

Outline:
I. Preparation for Israel's Deliverance from Bondage (1-4)
II. Israel's Deliverance from Bondage (5-18)
---a. Pharaoh's Resistance and the Lord's Reassurance (5:1-6:27)
---b. Plagues on Egypt (6:28-12:36)
---c. The Exodus from Egypt to Mt. Sinai (12:37-18:27)
III. The Covenant at Sinai (19-24)
IV. The Tabernacle for Worship (25-40)
---a. Instructions for Tabernacle Construction and Furnishings (25-31)
---b. The Golden Calf (32-34)
---c. Tabernacle Construction (35-40)

Written: It is believed that Moses wrote Exodus (which means departure) during the time of wandering. Of course, later audiences did add updates, etc. But the basics are believed to have been written by Moses.

Audience: Later Israelites would read (or have read to them, more often) Exodus for the purpose of understanding their origins, understanding their God, and understanding the laws that he placed them under. It is the equivalent of us reading the gospels in order to understand where Jesus came from and what his message was.

One of the major themes is actually God's love for the people. Many people who read this book today comment on the "wrathful God of the Old Testament"....but look how much God loved them: he provided their basic needs in the desert with manna, and then with quail when they complained about the manna.....he gave them basic laws to help them become better people....he performed miracles to save them from bondage....the list could go on and on.
It is important when reading to discard any "current" views of the books, and try to read it fresh each time, even if you've read it ten times before!