I played a few games at the last session that I enjoyed.
Thebes (the Rio Grande reimaging of Jenseits von Thebes) was fun, it expands upon the time mechanic of Around the World in 80 days where you take a number of weeks to do things. One thing lots of 'hardcore' gamers don't like about it is it does have some luck, when you do a dig you're actually digging in a bag for treasure, so regardless how many pulls you get, you could still have crappy luck. Other than that it seems pretty balanced, and does allow some choice with how long you stay in a dig and do you go for more knowledge or start digging. That of course can make it easier for non-gamers or new-gamers to get into and enjoy--they'd get their clock cleaned at most pure strategy games and that's no fun.
Dominion was another one we played that session. This one was very addictive. The rules are very simple, everyone starts with the exact same 10 card deck, and using that deck you buy from 10 other card types, plus Coin cards and Victory points; VP are pointless in play but you of course need them to win. In one turn you can do an Action (play a card) and a Buy, and some Action cards give you more Actions or more Buys or more cards, so it's real easy to build up a chain. My only complaint is that it's almost too fast--I was playing with 2 other people and apart from playing a Militia card, there was almost no player interaction. It was almost like three hands of solitaire played simultaneously. They were more experienced than me, so that might have something to do with it, if I played at home I'd slow the pace down a little bit. This would be another good game for newbies, since it's not directly confrontational, and it's very simple to learn and a relatively short game (half hour or so). We played 4 or 5 times. I definitely want to buy this one.
Has anyone played Small World? Even though this one is directly confrontational, it seems like it would be a good one, again, for newer players, since they can get another army and come back in if they lose. I haven't played this one yet.
We played Pandemic as well, the first time for three of the four, but I didn't like it too much. We lost both times, it seems like unless you get lucky or move really darn fast, you're screwed. Also, it's theoretically co-op, but that translated more into one person directing the others around the board (might have something to do with our newbie status). I didn't really feel attached to my guy.
You might notice a theme--I'm looking for games that are relatively quick to play, have a little strategy but also a bit of luck, that are somewhat simple to understand, and that aren't totally cutthroat/backstabbing competitive, and are still fun--I'm trying to get my nongaming wife (whose typical games are things like Scrabble, Scene It, and Trivial Pursuit, occasional Craniums--maybe I took her in the deep end by drafting her to play Arkham Horror), and my 7 year old boy into playing something slightly deeper than the 'usual' games.
I've got a wishlist at CoolStuffInc including
Small World
Thebes
Dominion
Talisman Revised 4e (I know, lots of luck and roll-and-move, but this is probably the closest to the games they're used to playing)
I just need to drop the hammer on the cart.