Barnes & Noble reported fiscal second quarter earnings on Thursday afternoon after the close of the market, with sales through October 31 falling $42 million or 4.5 percent compared to a year ago, to $895 million. Though the charge due to the BN College spinoff was lower than expected — a $10.5 million executive severance payment, and investment banking fees of $7 million — EBITDA was negative, at a loss of $20.5 million. Worse, the net loss from continuing operations was $27.2 million or 36 cents per share, compared to a loss of $5.1 million, or 16 cents a share a year ago. […]